The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the effects, feasibility, and safety of a comprehensive online Ayurveda whole-systems (WS) intervention that targets the underlying etiological factors influencing mental and physical health symptoms. The primary hypothesis is that home-based adults who participate in the Ayurveda Program for Detox and Lifestyle will experience a decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms over 4 months.
Two Ayurveda-trained medical doctors will lead the Online Ayurveda Program for Detox and Lifestyle, which comprises eight interactive live webinars over ten days. Each 1.5-hour session includes online group meetings focused on addressing the etiological factors contributing to mental and physical ill-health. The program is easily replicable and includes personalized herbal remedies, detoxification procedures, dietary guidelines, yoga exercises, and daily routine practices, all based on traditional Ayurvedic medicine principles. After the ten-day detoxification, participants will continue to follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations and the herbal program for mental and physical health for up to four months. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and once a month for four months.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
98
The program includes personalized herbal remedies, detoxification procedures, dietary guidelines, yoga exercises, and daily routine practices.
The Center for Maharishi AyurVeda and Holistic Medicine
Geboltskirchen, Austria
Change in Anxiety Score
Assessed using the online standardized Patient Health Questionnaire for Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms (PHQ-SADS). The PHQ-SADS uses cut-off points of 5, 10, and 15 to represent mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. The assessment includes the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, which measures the severity of anxiety. The GAD-7 uses cut-off points of 5, 10, and 15 for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. The scale ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety levels.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and once a month for four months
Change in Depression Score
Assessed using the online standardized Patient Health Questionnaire for Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms (PHQ-SADS). The PHQ-SADS uses cut-off points of 5, 10, and 15 to represent mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. The assessment also includes the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression, which uses cut-off points of 5, 10, 15, and 20 to represent mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. The PHQ-9 scale ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and once a month for four months
Change in Somatic or Physical Symptoms Score Change in Somatic or Physical Symptoms Score
Assessed using the online standardized Patient Health Questionnaire for Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms (PHQ-SADS). The PHQ-SADS uses cut-off points of 5, 10, and 15 to represent mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. The assessment also includes the PHQ-15 scale, which assesses somatic symptoms. The PHQ-15 uses cut-off points of 5, 10, and 15 to represent mild, moderate, and severe somatic symptoms, respectively. The scale ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater severity of somatic symptoms.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and once a month for four months
Change in Fatigue Score
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Fatigue was measured using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Fatigue Short Form (8a). The form uses a scale of 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating more significant fatigue. Scores of 22, 26, and 36 represent mild, moderate, and severe fatigue.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and once a month for four months
Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI)
Participants measured their height and weight using a standard scale and tape, and then reported these measurements in the online survey. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the standardized formula: weight (kg) / \[height (m)\]². The calculations were performed using an Excel program.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and once a month for four months