Ayurveda Based Intervention for Patients in Acute Psychiatric Crisis Situations

Ayurveda Based Intervention for Patients in Acute Psychiatric Crisis: Pilot Trial Using Community-Based Participatory Research

NMP Medical Research Institute, Croydon Ayurveda Centre, Active Naturals Limited, AVP Research Foundation

For patients undergoing a psychiatric crisis, hospitalisation is required. In developing countries specially in sub-urban or rural areas, most patients don't access intensive care. In India, AYUSH system of medical care is widely used, including crisis resolution and community treatment have been widely implemented in various mental health systems. However, evidence to support their effectiveness has remained very low. Present study is designed as community based participatory research, where Ayurveda treatment , a short-term, specialised, crisis intervention is provided by community outreach team.

Multidisciplinary Ayurveda based treatment team aimed to manage acute crises of patients in the community settings or at their home if feasible.

Ayurveda treatment modalities includes three parts to manage mental health Satwawajay Chikitsa, Yuktivyapashray and Daivyapashray Chikitsa. It is based on personalised whole person approach.

Management strategies includes restraints, emergency medications, behavioral interventions, with a special focus on the pharmacological interventions.

Brief Symptom Inventory was used to assess self-report of psychological problems and symptom severity

Length of stay is defined as the time between patient triage and discharge from the emergency department

The K10 comprises 10 items that rate symptoms along the anxiety-depression spectrum, with a five point Likert response, where one is 'none of the time' to five 'all of the time.

To measure participant-generated outcomes comprising four items on 6 scale (0-5) 0 = not at all affected' to '5 = severely affected.

The ACES consists of a single item that rates overall agitation at the time of patients observations on 9 scale (1=marked agitation, 4=normal behaviour, 9= unarousable)

The tool consists of 5 items: excitement, tension, hostility, being uncooperative, and poor impulse control. Each item is scored on 7-point scale (1=absent, 2=minimal, 3=mild, 4=moderate, 5=moderate severe, 6=severe, and 7=extreme)

Measured on 5-point scale, completed by the participant using the Service Satisfaction Scale 10 (SSS-10), from 1 (No, definitely not) to five (Yes, definitely)

The frequency of any side effects or adverse events experienced by individuals to both intervention group on 4 point scale (landing from absent=0 to severe=3)

Daily doses and classes of medications (e.g. antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, etc.) or other treatments or interventions prescribed per individual

Inclusion Criteria: Presenting with a psychiatric complaint. Male or female patients at least 18 years of age. Each patient, or a patient's legal representative (as allowed by local law), must understand the nature of the study and must agree to study enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: Patients who have delirium or dementia Prisoners Pediatric patients Elderly patients Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Individual Participants Data will not be available to other researchers. Data will only be shared through publications and presentations on study completion.