Efficacy of Leech therapy and Ayurvedic compound in vitiligo: A quasi experimental study

Abstract

This interventional, quasi-experimental study (pre-post test design) was conducted at Ayurveda Central Research Institute, New Delhi to study the efficacy of Leech Therapy along with some Ayurvedic medicine in vitiligo. Patients were selected by non-probability purposive sampling method after obtaining an informed consent. Twenty patients suffering from vitiligo (12 male and 08 female), aged more than 15 years and involving less than 25% of body surface area were enrolled. All the patients were kept in a single group. All the patients were called to OPD for Leech application once in a week. The patients were followed up weekly for first month and later on fortnightly for five months to monitor the improvement and adverse effects. The mean re-pigmentation achieved was 60 % (VASI score of 3.69), while the arrest of progression (stationary) was noted in 35 % of patients. In 5% of patient it was spreading. We recommend that leech therapy along with internal administration of Ayurvedic medicine is effective in the treatment of Vitiligo.