Enhancing iron deficiency anemia outcomes: Integrating psychological relaxation with ayurvedic treatment

Introduction

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects nearly a quarter of the global population, disproportionately burdening women and children in resource-scarce settings like India, which reports the highest global incidence. Driven by inadequate iron intake, increased demand, poor absorption, or chronic blood loss, IDA impairs oxygen transport, physical capacity, cognition, and quality of life, delaying individual and societal progress. While global strategies like iron supplementation have curbed its prevalence, India lags behind. This study explored Ayurveda’s holistic framework, focusing on Pandu Roga, a condition mirroring IDA, and its unique emphasis on psychological triggers of excessive desire, anger, stress, fear, or sorrow as a contributing factor to this complex disorder. We investigated whether combining relaxation techniques (Pranayama and meditation) to mitigate the effects of the above mentioned psychological triggers, along with standard Ayurvedic treatments [Punarnavadi Mandoor (PM) and Dadimadi Ghrita (DG)], outperforms standalone therapy in managing IDA’s subjective and objective markers as a proof-of-concept study.

Materials and methods

In a parallel-arm clinical trial, 76 IDA patients were randomized into two groups of 38 each, following informed consent and strict eligibility criteria. Conducted from October 2023 to May 2024, the 30-day intervention assigned the experimental group PM and DG plus daily guided relaxation (via online/offline sessions), while the control group received only PM and DG. Efficacy was assessed through symptomatic and laboratory outcomes.

Observations and result

Both groups showed significant improvements in anemia symptoms, Pandu Roga features, hemoglobin, complete blood count (CBC), and serum ferritin. However, the relaxation-augmented group demonstrated greater gains in hemoglobin, CBC parameters, and ferritin, and superior reductions in psychological distress (Manasa Bhava) with statistically significant differences.

Conclusion

This study highlights the value of integrating psychological care with Ayurvedic treatment for IDA. Patients receiving relaxation alongside PM and DG exhibited enhanced symptom relief and biomarker improvements, suggesting a synergistic effect. Larger, longer-term multicentric trials are needed to confirm these findings.