Effect of selected Āyurveda treatment modality in mild to moderate Postpartum Depression –Single group Pretest–Posttest Design

Mood disorders are a major public health problem andare associated with considerable burden of disease, suicides, physicalcomorbidities, high economic costs and poor quality of life. Depression is aserious mood disorder. Postpartum depression is a disabling but treatablemental disorder that represents one of the most common complications of childbearing with a global prevalence of 18.6%. Major symptoms include hopelessness,helplessness, persistent sadness, irritability, low self-esteem, mood changes,loss of pleasure in activities etc. Postpartum depression has increased risksof impaired emotional, social and cognitive development in the child. Ä€yurveda have the potential to improve the symptoms of mood disordersespecially Postpartum depression. A combination of DrÄká¹£Ädi PhÄṇṭam and AÅ›vagandha– AparÄjita – Vaca cÅ«rņa has been in use in ManaśśÄnti OPD of VPSV Ayurveda College Hospital Kottakkal, sincemany years which is found to be very effective but a scientific research dataregarding this is currently unavailable. Hence this study is planned.

Twenty six participants satisfying the inclusioncriteria will be selected from the OPD of VPSV Ayurveda College Kottakkal andGovernment Ayurveda Research Institute for Mental Diseases Kottakkal byconsecutive sampling. For each participant, 50ml each of DrÄká¹£Ädi PhÄṇṭam will be given at 6am and 6pm- with Sita as anupÄna and 3gm of AÅ›vagandha– AparÄjita – Vaca cÅ«rņa (in the ratio 2:2:1) will be given after breakfastand dinner with honey as anupÄna for45 days and will be followed up after 60 days. Assessments will be donebefore treatment, 15th day,30th day, 46th dayand followed up on the 60th day using Hamilton Depression RatingScale. Quality of life will be assessed using WHOQOLBREF scale before treatment, on 46th day andfollow up on 60th day. Data obtained will be statistically analyzedusing appropriate tests and will be presented in the form of a dissertation.