A Multimodal Ayurveda and Mind–Body Therapeutic Intervention for Chronic Symptoms Attributed to a Postinfectious Syndrome: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective:

Evaluate feasibility and impact of a multimodal integrative therapeutic intervention in patients presenting with chronic symptoms attributed to a postinfectious syndrome.

Design:

This was a prospective longitudinal single-center pilot study conducted from January 2019 to December 2020.

Setting/Location:

University of Maryland Lyme Program, Baltimore Maryland.

Subjects:

Persons presenting for Lyme evaluation for symptoms attributed to Lyme disease.

Interventions:

Participants attended two 1-h individual instructional sessions consisting of Ayurveda-based dietary intervention and breath-coordinated mind-body practice to be used for home practice.

Outcome measures:

Standard measures of impact were obtained at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months using the following validated survey instruments: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), PROMIS Global Health v1.2 (GH), and PROMIS 29 v2.0 survey.

Results:

From 216 patients presenting for Lyme evaluation, 19 participants enrolled with 84% completing the study (N = 16). Baseline PROMIS GH scores consisting of general Physical Health (GPH) and general Mental Health (GMH) scores were lower in the study population than in the general U.S. population. PROMIS 29 scores were higher for fatigue, anxiety, and pain than those in the general U.S. population. Over 12-month period, improvement in both the GPH and GMH was 6.09 (confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.71–9.46; p < 0.001) and 4.65 (95% CI = 1.50–7.80; p = 0.004), respectively. PROMIS 29 scores showed the greatest improvement in fatigue at −7.91 (95% CI = −12.34 to −3.48; p < 0.001), pain interference −5.08 (95% CI = −9.20 to −0.96; p = 0.016), and ability to participate in social roles and activities 7.48 (95% CI = 3.21–11.75; p = 0.001) and least with depression −1.82 (95% CI = −4.74 to 1.10; p = 0.223). Employment status had significant effects on almost all outcome scores. Postinfectious state was associated with improvement in anxiety and PSS scores.

Conclusions:

A multimodal Ayurvedic and breath-coordinated mind–body therapeutic intervention is feasible and a potential nonpharmacologic therapeutic option for persons presenting with pain, stress, fatigue, physical dysfunction, and sleep disturbance attributed to a postinfectious syndrome. Further research is needed to determine efficacy in this population and in other groups with similar symptom complexes due to postinfectious syndromes.