Improvement in Predominantly Hyperactive Subtype of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with Ayurvedic Management: A Case Report

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. Its prevalence in India is estimated at 1.3 per 1000. In Ayurveda, the symptoms of ADHD are similar to a clinical condition 'Unmada'. This article discusses the case of an 11-year-old male child who exhibited motor hyperactivity, restlessness, poor attention span, poor scholastic performance, and a mild delay in speech development. He was diagnosed with the predominantly hyperactive subtype of ADHD according to the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The patient visited the outpatient department of Tertiary Government Ayurveda College Hospital, for management. The patient has been taking outpatient and inpatient treatment since November 2022. He kept visiting monthly for follow-up and took IP treatment in April-May 2023 and January-February 2024. Ayurvedic treatments like Udwarthanam (medicated powder massage), Abhyangam (oil massage), Snehapana (internal intake of unctuous substance), Ksheeravasti (therapeutic enema with medicated milk), Ksheeradhara (pouring of medicated milk over the forehead and body in a rhythmic manner), Sirolepam (application of herbal paste over the scalp), Sirodhara (slow and steady continuous dripping of medicated oil over the forehead) was given along with internal medicines such as Aswagandharishta, Manasamitra vatakam, Rajanyadi choornam, Dhanwantharam gulika, Mahatiktaka ghritam, Balahatadi tailam, Tagara tablet to the patient. The patient was assessed using Conners' Parent Rating Scale. The values changed from 119 to 96 before and after treatment, respectively. The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale (VADRS) combined values for ADHD changed from 36 to 30. The Ayurvedic treatment was effective in reducing the patient's hyperactivity and restlessness.