Study on the effect of Ayurveda on rheumatoid arthritis

In the 1970s, the WHO commissioned a long-term study to investigate the effectiveness and safety of Ayurvedic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Both physicians and Ayurveda doctors were involved in this study.

290 patients participated in this 7-year study; every 6 weeks, treatment progress was measured using American Rheumatism Association criteria including grip strength, walking speed, number of swollen and painful joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and rheumatoid factor. The Ayurvedic doctors treated each patient individually, following the principles outlined in the classical Ayurvedic scriptures. The duration of treatment varied from one to six months.

The results of 33 patients who dropped out of the study at the end of the first year are presented here and show significant improvement in all parameters. Even patients with severe functional limitations showed significant improvements.