Feasibility of Nurse-Led Structured Education and Relaxation Techniques as an Add-on to Ayurvedic Management for Psoriasis in an Indian Ayurveda Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2026.v18i02.012Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease with substantial psychological burden. Ayurvedic inpatient management is widely used in India, but no structured nursing protocol has been described. Objectives: To assess the feasibility of a nurse-led structured education and relaxation intervention alongside standard Ayurvedic management and obtain a preliminary estimate of its effect on psoriasis severity. Methods: Two-arm randomized controlled pilot study at a tertiary-level Ayurveda hospital in New Delhi, India. Ten adults with a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) of 10 or above were block randomized to experimental or control arms (n = 5 each). Both received standard Ayurvedic treatment; the experimental arm additionally received structured education, supervised relaxation and yoga to Day 14, and caregiver-supported home practice to Day 60. Seven feasibility domains were primary, and PASI was secondary. Results: Of 17 patients screened, 13 were eligible and 10 randomized, giving a consent rate of 76.9% against the pre-specified 80% threshold, the only criterion not met. Retention, session attendance, home practice, protocol fidelity, and acceptability reached 100%, with no attributable adverse events or missing PASI data. Baseline PASI was higher in the control arm (mean 27.28 versus 20.04). Median PASI reduction at Day 60 was 74.6% in the experimental arm versus 17.6% in the control arm; the between-group difference was 10.00 points (95% CI 5.30 to 15.40; exact p = 0.008). Conclusion: The protocol was feasible within routine Ayurvedic inpatient care, with consent the one criterion needing change. The PASI difference is a preliminary signal only, given the small sample and baseline imbalance.
Keywords:
Ayurveda, Feasibility Studies, Nurse-Led Intervention, Psoriasis, Structured EducationDownloads
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