Development, Validation, and Verification of a Self-Assessment Tool to Estimate Agnibala (Digestive Strength)

Abstract

According to Ayurveda, the traditional system of healthcare of Indian origin, Agni is the factor responsible for digestion and metabolism. Four functional states (Agnibala) of Agni have been recognized: regular, irregular, intense, and weak. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a self-assessment tool to estimate Agnibala The developed tool was evaluated for its reliability and validity by administering it to 300 healthy volunteers of either gender belonging to 18 to 40-year age group. Besides confirming the statistical validity and reliability, the practical utility of the newly developed tool was also evaluated by recording serum lipid parameters of all the volunteers. The results show that the lipid parameters vary significantly according to the status of Agni The tool, therefore, may be used to screen normal population to look for possible susceptibility to certain health conditions.

Efficacy of Pippali in vardhamana and fixed dosage pattern in primary hypothyroidism – A randomized clinical trial

“…The pre and post mean score of Agnibala was 8.7 and 6.8 in Escalating group and 8.4 and 7.0 in Fixed Group respectively. It was analyzed by using a self-assessment tool to estimate Agnibala (Digestive Strength) (Singh A et al., 2017) [ 11 ] (See Table 3 , Table 4 , Table 5 ).…”

A comparative analysis of Vamana and Shamana Chikitsa in prediabetes management: A randomized clinical trial

“…The primary outcome was reducing HbA1c levels and the secondary outcome was reducing blood sugar levels-FBS and PPBS assessed by blood investigation in laboratory AIIA, relief in signs and symptoms of Prameha, [ 28 ] improvement in Agni Bala , Deha Bala , and Chetas Bala assessed as per Ayurveda assessed by grading score (see Table 2 ) [ 29 ] and overall improvement in Quality of life SF36 score assessed with questionnaire. Assessment was conducted for HbA1c, signs and symptoms of Prameha, Agni Bala , Deha Bala and Chetas Bala and SF-36 score on the 120th day, and other parameters on 46th, 76th, 106th, and 120th day.…”

Efficacy of Vamana Karma (therapeutic emesis) followed by Darvyadi Kwatha (herbal decoction) in the management of prediabetes (Prameha) - A single-arm clinical trial

“…Objective criteria includes HBA1c, FBS and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) and subjective criteria includes sign and symptoms of Prameha, Agnibala (strength of digestion and metabolism), Dehabala (physical strength) and Satvabala (mental strength)[ 19 ] and quality of life by SF36 score details mentioned in table [Tables 2 and 3 ].…”