Repeatability of arterial pulse-based diagnosis (Naadi pariksha) by test–retest method: An observation study

INTRODUCTION: Naadi pariksha is a historical diagnostic skill of physicians to examine the state of dosha (dosha avasta) in patients. Although this is a commonly used examination, there is still a need for standardization in the collection of data and reliability of the diagnostic technique. Considerable researchers have been conducted on the pulse classification based on its characters but this study was conducted to analyze the repeatability of arterial pulse-based diagnosis (Naadi pariksha) by test–retest method in a single group. AIM: The study aims to test and retest the repeatability of the arterial pulse-based diagnosis. The naadi parameters such as pulse wavelength and pulse character were tested for repeatability in the gap period of 9–18 min in a controlled environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational study conducted in Belagavi. An Ayurveda physician examined the pulse of 30 healthy volunteers twice, within an interval of 9–18 min. A random sampling of volunteers was adopted (to avoid bias), and the data were recorded graphically as per the study protocol. This study was conducted for 6 days with five participants per day for examination. The Naadi pariksha was done to examine the pulse wavelength and pulse character. The data obtained from the test and retest of Naadi pariksha were statistically analyzed using paired t-test to study the difference between both the test–retest methods. RESULTS: All the data collected from the naadi examination were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. The mean difference in pulse wavelength was 0.004 mm (standard deviation [SD]: 0.2067 mm, degree of freedom (df): 29, and t: 0.106). There was no statistically significant difference between the two variables: test and retest pulse wavelength (P > 0.05). The mean difference in pulse character was 0.333 mm (SD: 1.64177 mm, df: 29, and t value: 1.112). There was no statistically significant difference between the two variables: test and retest pulse wavelength (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The reliability and repeatability of pulse-based diagnosis depend on the adaptation of standardized techniques in arterial pulse data collection along with the training, maintaining the controlled environment, and experience of a physician in naadi pariksha. Quantification of the physiological signals has become more important to create evidence and research documentation. The results of this study suggest that an identical report may be obtained on repetition of the test within 9–18 min. This demonstrates the repeatability of arterial pulse-based diagnosis (naadi pariksha).