A randomized comparative clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of Chatushashti Prahari Pippali along with Rehabilitation self-management after COVID-19 related illness in the management of post COVID syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic along with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) has raised many questions to the medical fraternity for which Ayurveda can be the solution for abatement of the disease along with its prevention and treatment. Aim: The present prospective double-arm randomized controlled clinical study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the role of Chatushashti Prahari Pippali (CPP) as addon to rehabilitation guidelines in PCS, in comparison with rehabilitation guidelines on the relief in the symptoms as the primary outcome and upgradation of quality of life (QoL) as the secondary outcome. Materials and methods: A total of 112 patients of PCS were selected and randomized into two groups, namely group A and group B, in which intervention was encapsulated CPP and placebo, respectively. The posology of oral intervention in both groups was 500 mg capsulated powder twice a day after food with lukewarm water for 8 weeks, along with rehabilitation guidelines. Both the groups were assessed based on subjective and objective parameters such as symptomatic gradation, 6 min walk test (6MWT), and Quality of life. Results: Results were obtained by descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including ANOVA, ANCOVA, and paired t-tests. Statistically significant difference was reported between the groups in all assessment parameters, including symptomatic improvement, upgrading in 6MWT with the enhancement of QoL assessed by the WHO QoL and Post-COVID-19 Functional Scale, which validates the superiority of combined therapy (CPP and rehabilitation) over only rehabilitation in the management of PCS. Conclusion: The present study provides credible evidence that the Ayurveda intervention CPP along with rehabilitation is effective in the management of PCS in enhancing the QoL of COVID-19 long-haulers, justifying the need for medicinal intervention along with rehabilitation.