Evaluation of Gandhakadi Yoga as an adjuvant therapy in the management of Beejadushtijanya Pandu (thalassemia major)

INTRODUCTION: Thalassemia major is a malignant type of genetic disorder and iron overload is the main complication of the disease which results due to frequent blood transfusions. Gandhakadi Yoga has been proved effective against iron overload in experimental studies and pilot voluntary study, hence, taken for clinical evaluation in the present study. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Gandhakadi Yoga as an adjuvant therapy in the management of thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 46 patients of age group 2–12 years were registered and randomly divided into two groups. Group A (trial group-Gandhakadi Yoga with blood transfision (BT)) and Group B (control Group-with BT and iron chelation therapy). The assessment was done based on the subjective and objective parameters after12 weeks of treatment, with a follow-up of 12 weeks. The data obtained in clinical study was analyzed using Student's “t” test. RESULTS: Trial drug provided highly significant result (P < 0.001) in most of the subjective parameters and BT interval was prolonged. In Group A, the maximum improvement was found in three patients (13.04%); moderate improvement in 15 patients (65.22%) and mild improvement in five patients (21.74%). No adverse drug reaction was reported during the clinical study. CONCLUSION: Gandhakadi Yoga provided better results than control in subjective and objective parameters, BT interval and general health status, hence, has an effective role as an adjuvant in the management of thalassemia major.