A CLINICAL STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF ASHWAGANDHA (WITANIA SOMNIFERA) ON QUALITY OF LIFE (WHOQOL-BREF) IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY SUBJCETS

Abstract

WHOQOL- BREF is assessment of a multidimensional concept incorporating an individual’s perception of health status embedded with physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Various types of health issues are common around the globe due to improper sleep pattern and lifestyle. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is the intervention of many clinical conditions like, arresting the aging process, pro-cure the body in debilitating condition by creating a sense of mental wellbeing and increase physical fit-ness. Ashwagandha possesses Vatakaphahara, Jara Vyadhi Nashaka, Balya and Dhatu Vriddhikara prop-erties. Because of these properties, it acts not only preventive but also promotive and curative effects as well as slowdown Jara by breaking the pathogenesis. The present study was opted to analyse the health status (quality of life WHO-QOL BREF)in apparently healthy voluntary subjects. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) on quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) in apparent-ly healthy subjects. Methods: The study includes randomized, single blind controlled comparative study with pre-test and post-test design. 408 apparently healthy subjects were screened for the features of health. 108 apparently Healthy subjects were selected by considering the inclusion criteria, and categorised into two group, (Group 1- control Group and Group 2- study Group) 54 subjects in each group. Subjects in the study group consumed 12 gm of Ashwagandha Choorna (powder) once daily with milk 200ml and the control group consumed milk 200 ml daily once. WHO-QOL BREF Questionnaire was utilised for analys-ing the health status of the individuals before intervention, after intervention and follow up. Results: In the control group (n=54), the mean score overall quality of life was found to be 65.75 before intervention, af-ter complete intervention quality of life was found to be 67.55 and at the time of follow up quality of life was found 67.55. In the study group (n=54), the mean score overall quality of life was found to be 64.38 before intervention of study, after complete intervention quality of life was found to be 71.58 and at the time of follow up quality of life was found 71.61. Conclusion: In this study, subjects were improved to the higher scores among the physical, psychological domains as comparison with the environmental and social domains. Found improvement in the quality of life (WHO BREF) in study group as compared to control group.