INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda is the science
of life. It describes life as the complex combination of Sharir (body), Indriya
(senses), Satva (mind), and Atma (soul).
This signifies the role of Manas in the maintenance of health. Acharya
Sushrut has described health as physical health as well as mental health. Raja and Tama, these are the two manas
doshas. Pragyaaparadh has a role in the
manifestation of physical and mental disorders. Pragyaparadh occurs due to
vitiation of Raja and Tama Dosha. Satva Guna enhancement is one of the most
important things to be focused on during treatment.
Mental well-being is
defined as a state of mind where an individual can develop their potential&
work productively, and cope with the normal stresses of life. Psychological
well-being is considered crucial for comprehensive health and happiness and has
been linked to improved mental health, better physical health, and a longer
life expectancy.
Mental health plays a
major role in proper digestion of food. Acharya Charak has emphasized the role
of mindful eating under Aaharvidhividhan. Mindful eating nurtures the
parasympathetic nervous system which further supports digestion by increasing
salivary secretions, and stimulating gastric juices, digestive enzymes, and
bile to facilitate nutrient assimilation and extraction. This demonstrates the significance of mental
health in maintenance of healthy status of Jatharagni.
For better mental
strength, it is highly essential to enhance the Satva Guna. Satvavajaya
Chikitsa is also considered one of the three pillars of treatment. To protect the mind from unhealthy subjects,
it is again essential to have a predominance of Satva.
To assess the level of
Satva in an individual, Acharya Punarvasu has mentioned Satva examination under
Dashavidha Pariksha . He has classified the level of Satva into three
categories, namely Pravara, Madhyama, and Avara Satva. Further, he has also
mentioned the qualities of Purush having the extent of Satva Guna (Satvasara Purush). By assessing Satva,
it is possible to enhance Satva Guna through Adravyabhuta Chikitsa
(non-pharmacological interventions), Sadvritta (code of conduct), Yoga
practices, meditation, Pranayama, and other therapies as part of the treatment.
Avara Satva people are prone to psychological disorders; by these interventions
we can prevent future psychosomatic disorders. Incorporating Satvasara
assessment into treatment approaches can provide alternative or complimentary
methods for managing mental health conditions.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The qualitative scale to
assess the level of Satva as Pravar –Madhyam-Avar has been prescribed by
Acharya Charak. The current published literature was searched to know the
availability of tools for assessing Satva Sara. Aswathy et al have developed a tool for the assessment of
Satvasara based on the attributes given in Charak Samhita and divided them into
the Attitude, Intellectual, and Activity domains. Kiran et al have studied the use of
assessment of Satvasarata (essence of psyche) in prognosis of female patient of
breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. They used a Satvasara questionnaire
developed by MUHS. Gaikwad et al. have observed the relationship between
Satvasara and emotional maturity. Resmy et al
studied the correlation between Satvasara and stress among students at
Ayurveda College. Stress is assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale 10. There is
another tool by Ayusoft software
(C-DAC-Centre for Development of Advance Computing) for assessment of
all types of Sara. This tool has sara and asara features for each Sara.
LACUNA IN THE EXISTING
KNOWLEDGE
The tool for the
assessment of Satvasara prescribed by Acharya Charak is qualitative and is in
abstract form.
Though few researchers
have worked in the past towards development and validation of Satvasara tool,
lacunas were observed in the previous work. Aswathy et al. have developed a
Satvasara assessment tool in which domain specific questions are not able to be
identified. Questions are ambiguous and lack clarity. The questionnaire is
lengthy, and the scoring pattern is also not clear. Kiran et al. used a
Satvasara questionnaire which is not validated. The questions are not specific
and need furthermore questions to catch the predictors. Dichotomous questions
are only used to capture responses, which makes it difficult to assess the
related attributes of an individual. Gaikwad et al. used a tool which is not
available in the public domain. No data on structure, validation or reliability
is available for this tool. Resmy et al. have studied the relationship between
Stress and Satvasara. The tool used to assess Satvasara is not linked with
published research. The tool prepared by Ayusoft C-DAC is very lengthy, assessment
of only one sara is not possible, all dimensions essential to assess Satvasara
of an individual is not included and the tool is not available in the public
domain for free use.
NEED OF THE STUDY
There is no proper
validated scale available in the public domain to assess the Satvasara. So,
there is a need to develop and validate a quantitative scale in the form of
questionnaire to assess the level of Satva in an individual. Status of mental
well-being depends on the level of Satva. Individuals need an enhanced level of
Satva to attain complete mental well-being. Assessment of Satvasara will offer
a new approach in management of psychological disorders. Hence, there is a need
to develop and validate a questionnaire for the assessment of Satva for the
prediction of psychosomatic disorders. In the present study, Satvasara
questionnaire will be developed and validated.
RESEARCH QUESTION
How to assess/measure
Satvasara through a tool.
AIM OF THE STUDY
To develop and validate a
questionnaire to assess Satvasara
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. To develop a questionnaire on Satvasara.
2. To validate Satvasara questionnaire.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Development and
validation of preliminary questionnaire to assess Satvasara
Based on the classical
texts and available literature, the predictors will be compiled.
The questions will be
frame under various domains for different predictors.
For face validity, the questionnaire
will be reviewed by the experts to look for any corrections.
Changes will be
made according to expert’s suggestions, and
the questionnaire will be revised.
For content
validity, the questionnaire will be sent to 10-15 experts for their
expert remarks.
The
data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tools.
Pilot
testing will be done on 30 subjects. The questionnaire will be revised if
needed.
The
data will be analyzed to calculate Cronbach’s alpha for overall questions and
for each question.
Inter-rater
reliability and Intra-rater reliability will be checked,
and the questionnaire will be finalized.
Study- Descriptive
Place of study: Delhi
Duration: 12 Months
SAMPLE SIZE :300
With reference from the
article (Tsang S, Royse F, Terkwi A Guidelines for developing, translating and
validating a questionnaire in perioperative and pain medicine Official
publication of Saudi Anesthetic Association (SUPPL1) Page 12) and checking the
feasibility of the research and research subjects we take the sample size to be
300.
INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION
CRITERIA
INCLUSION CRITERIA
1.
Self-declared apparently
healthy subjects aged 18-30 years.
2. Individuals
who have no history of any acute or chronic illness which may impact mental
health of the individual.
3.
Individuals willing and
able to participate in the study.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
1.
Individuals having
history of any psychological/psychiatric disorder.
2. Individuals
who are on any kind of medication.
3.
Individuals who underwent
counseling by the psychologist.
PLAN OF STUDY
Questionnaire will be
developed and validated for the assessment of Satvasra
The study participants
will be enrolled after taking the informed consent
Satvasara will be assessed
using the developed questionnaire through online google forms or by the
physical form
The data will be compiled
and analyzed. Findings will be submitted in the form of thesis.
OUTCOME OF STUDY
Development of standardized
questionnaire for the assessment of Satvasara.
Validation of Satvasara
questionnaire. |