Effect of Ayurvedic interventions as add-on therapy in Huntington's disease: A case report

Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused due to trinucleotide cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat expansion on chromosome 4. The greater the CAG repeat size, the earlier the onset of the disease. It is characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. The onset of Juvenile HD occurs before the age of 21 and is rarer compared to adult-onset HD. A 30-year-old female, diagnosed with HD by molecular genetic analysis and magnetic resonance imaging, presented to Ayurveda hospital with chief complaints of abnormal involuntary movements in both the limbs bilaterally, difficulty in walking without support, difficulty in speech, swallowing, episodes of anger outbursts, and hard stools. The Ayurvedic treatment protocol was planned with a course of Nasya (~medication through nasal route), Basti (~medicated enema), and Abhyanga (~therapeutic oleation). Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda (~sudation by application of poultice with rice), Shiropichu (~therapeutic procedure of placing tampon with oil over head region), and Karnapurana (~filling of ear with medicated liquid) along with internal medications which had Balya (~strength promoting), Brimhana (~restorative measures), Agni balavardhana (~enhancing digestive fire), Rechana (~cleansing), Rasayana (~rejuvenation therapy), and Vatahara (~Vata pacifying) actions were also adopted. By the completion of treatment, improvement was noticed in terms of reduced involuntary movements, better balance while standing, and reduced frequency of falls. Assessment by Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale showed a reduction from score 30 to 18 after treatment, inferring that Ayurvedic therapies can help in betterment of patients affected with HD.