Efficacy of Janu Patch and Janu Pichu Bandhana in Janu Sandhigata Vata: A Non-Inferiority Study

In India, Osteoarthritis affects approximately 15 million adults annually, with a prevalence ranging from 22% to 39%. This degenerative joint condition is the most common form of arthritis which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, significantly impacting a person’s ability to move freely. It affects the entire joint, including surrounding tissues, and is most prevalent in the knees, hips, spine, and hands. Factors contributing to its development includes a history of joint injury or overuse, older age, and being overweight. Notably, 73% of subjects with osteoarthritis are older than 55 years, and 60% are female. In Ayurveda, the disease Sandhigata Vata resembles with Osteoarthritis, which is described under Vata Vyadhi. The knee is the most frequently affected joint, followed by the hip and the hand. The treatment approach for Sandhigata Vata involves specific therapeutic methods, including Snehana (oleation), Upanaha (local poultice), Agnikarma (thermal cauterization), Bandhana (bandaging), and Mardana (massage).

Janu Pichu Bandhana, an external therapeutic procedure where Snehana andBandhana is done concurrently. It is derived from Shiro Pichu which falls under the category of Moordhni Taila treatments. Among these Moordhni Taila, Pichu is particularly more effective compared to abhyanga (oil massage) and seka (pouring of medicated liquids). Here an effort has been made to modify the conventional Janu Pichu Bandhana in the form of Janu Patch to make it more convenient for application and also to see the effectiveness of Janu Patch with that of Janu Pichu Bandhana. If this Janu Patch demonstrates positive effect on Sandhigata Vata, then it may potentially replace the conventional Janu Pichu Bandhana.

Mahanarayana Taila is derived from a blend of potent herbs and processed in Tila Taila, this therapeutic oil can be used in various ways and offers multifaceted benefits for Vata Rogas. Mahanarayana Taila exhibits Brimhana properties, pacifies Vata dosha, acts as Balya and provides relief from Amaya. Hence, all these positive outcomes make it the gold standard dravya for managing Janu Sandhigata Vata.

Although Janu Pichu Bandhana is widely practiced, there is no sufficient research has been done on this procedure. Thus, for current study Janu Pichu Bandhana and development of Janu Patch is taken for managing Janu Sandhigata Vata.