Randomized open-label clinical study on the efficacy of padamardana with mastu in comparison to padamardana with shatadhauta ghrita in anidra in children with ADHD.

Sleep plays a vital role in the cognitive emotional and physical development of children and is essential for their overall growth and future contribution to society. Insomnia is a common yet underdiagnosed sleep disorder in the pediatric population and its prevalence is increasing due to lifestyle changes. It is characterized by difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep leading to reduced total sleep duration. Sleep disturbances are frequently seen in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and tend to worsen core symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, cognitive deficits and emotional dysregulation. Insomnia in these children also affects academic performance quality of life and significantly impacts parental mental health by increasing stress anxiety and fatigue.

Conventional management includes sleep hygiene measures and cognitive behavioral therapy but many children do not respond adequately to pharmacological interventions such as melatonin or sedatives leading parents to seek alternative approaches. In Ayurveda insomnia can be correlated to Anidra or Nidranasha which is associated with imbalance of Vata dosha disturbances of Manovaha srotas and predominance of Rajasika satwa. Children with ADHD are more prone to such sleep disturbances.

Ayurveda offers several therapeutic measures including lifestyle regulation Panchakarma procedures and psychological interventions to improve sleep. Among these Padamardana is a simple cost effective and well accepted therapy described in classical texts as sleep inducing. Padamardana with Mastu helps in Vata shamana and reduces fatigue while Shatadhauta ghrita promotes relaxation and pacifies Vata and Pitta. Modern evidence also supports the role of foot massage and reflexology in improving sleep quality through neurohormonal regulation.

Despite classical references and wide acceptability there is a lack of scientific studies standardizing Padamardana and evaluating its efficacy in children with ADHD related insomnia. Hence the present study is designed to assess the effectiveness of Padamardana with Mastu and Shatadhauta ghrita in the management of Anidra in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.