Ayurvedic Management of Parkinson’s Disease (Kampavata): A Case Report

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system, primarily impairing motor functions. In Ayurveda, its closest clinical correlation is Kampavata, a condition described under Vata Vyadhi. Conventional management provides symptomatic relief but has limitations in halting disease progression, prompting exploration of traditional therapeutic approaches. A 53-year-old male patient, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years prior, presented with classical symptoms including loss of facial expression (masked facies), slurred speech, robo-gait requiring walking stick assistance, and disturbed sleep. Additionally, psychosomatic manifestations such as mild memory impairment, depression, impaired concentration, and incoherent speech were observed. The patient was managed with Ayurvedic Shodhana Chikitsa (bio-purificatory therapy) over a period of five weeks. The treatment protocol included Nasya, Basti (specifically Erandmooladi Niruha Basti), and Patra Pinda Sweda. These interventions were selected based on the principles of Vata Vyadhi and Kapha Avarana management. Post-treatment, the patient demonstrated significant clinical improvement. He was able to walk independently without support and could perform continuous cycling for up to 20 minutes. Improvements were also observed in speech clarity, sleep quality, and cognitive functions. Disease progression and therapeutic response were assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), which showed marked improvement. This case highlights the potential of Ayurvedic interventions, particularly Erandmooladi Niruha Basti, in the management of  Kampavata (Parkinson’s disease). The observed outcomes suggest that such therapies may offer a less invasive and effective alternative for improving quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate these findings.