Article: EFFECT OF BRAHMI GHRITA IN IMPROVING THE ATTENTION IN SEVEN TO TEN-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.100365

Pages: 71-73

Author: Anil Kumar M.V. *, Vanidevi P.T., M. A. Shajahan

Abstract: Introduction: Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding and using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself as an imperfect ability to listen, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations. Attention errors are always associated with Learning Disability, resulting in poor levels of concentration and under achievement. Such errors need to be corrected by therapeutic interventional approaches to improve the learning process. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Brahmi Ghrita in improving Attention in 7-10 year old children with Specific Learning Disability. Methods: The study was conducted as a parallel- open label, randomized controlled clinical trial at Govt. Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram. 42 children with SLD, aged 7 to 10 years were selected and randomly assigned into intervention (19 subjects) and control (23 subjects) groups.10g of Brahmi Ghrita twice a day was administered to the subjects in the intervention group before food, for a period of three months. The control group received no intervention. Neuropsychological evaluation of selected paradigms of Attention using the NIMHANS Battery for specific learning disability of both groups was done before and after the intervention period.  Results:  Neuropsychological evaluation of Attention Error and Attention Time was done. Statistically significant response (p - value < 0.01) in attention was noted after administration of Brahmi Ghrita. Conclusion: The study proved empirically that Brahmi Ghrita is effective in improving Attention in children of 7-10 years with Learning Disability.

Keyword: Specific Learning Disability, Ayurvedic Intervention, Language issues, Attention, Attention Errors, Brahmi Ghrita