Background and Objectives: Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)
is a costly, complex and chronic disease that is expected to increase in prevalence in the coming
decades. Recent population based studies shows the prevalence of NIDDM in south India to be
12.4% in Bengaluru in 2001,16.6% in Hyderabad in 2001,14.3% in Chennai in 2006 and 19.6%
in Ernakulum in 2006. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) modalities are found to
be effective in the management of NIDDM. Hydrotherapy is a part of CAM, used in the
management of NIDDM. Hence, the present study is planned to evaluate which of the hydro
therapeutic treatments has the best immediate hypoglycaemic effect between Gastrohepatic pack
and Neutral douche in NIDDM patients. Methods: The patients were selected from S.D.M. Yoga
and Nature cure Hospital, Shanthivana, Dharmastala, Karnataka. They were randomly divided into
two groups. According to the order in which they were recruited, they were allotted alternatively
into two groups. Group-1: The Gastrohepatic pack group of 20 patients and Group-2: The Neutral
douche group of 20 patients. Patients were assessed on day 1 and day 2 during which they received
Gastrohepatic pack and Neutral douche respectively. Results: The results have shown statistically
significant changes in fasting blood glucose levels in Gastrohepatic pack subjects (p=0.02) and post
prandial blood glucose levels in Neutral douche subjects (p=0.03) after the intervention period.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that Neutral douche and Gastrohepatic pack can play a
major role in lowering the raised blood glucose levels in patients with NIDDM. Gastrohepatic pack
is relatively better for lowering the blood glucose levels as compared to Neutral douche.
Key words: Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, Hydrotherapy, Naturopathy, NIDDM,
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
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