Effect of the Havishya Diet (Rajaswala Paricharya) versus Routine Care in Managing Menstrual Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: Introduction: In India, over 50% of females under the age of 30 years experience symptoms such as lower abdominal pain, lower backache, changes in bowel function, difficulty concentrating and reduced physical and mental efficiency during their menstrual cycles. There is a pressing need for strategies that facilitate trouble-free menstruation, thereby enhancing the productivity of students and working women. Need of the study: Although menstrual disorders are not life-threatening, they significantly affect Quality of Life (QOL). Therefore, it is crucial to develop a dietary management strategy that is safe, simple to follow and effective in addressing menstrual disorders. Such an approach could provide valuable options for women seeking natural, non pharmaceutical treatments. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of the Havishya diet (rice porridge) compared with routine lifestyle practices in managing menstrual disorders. Materials and Methods: This open-label, single-centre, parallel, randomised controlled trial will be conducted at Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, India, over three consecutive menstrual cycles (three months) from December 2024 to November 2025. A total of 136 participants will be enrolled, accounting for a 10% dropout rate, with 68 participants in each group. The trial group will follow the Rajaswala Paricharya diet, consuming 200–250 grams of rice porridge daily, divided into two meals according to appetite. The control group will maintain a routine lifestyle without adopting the Havishya diet for the same duration. Participants will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for lower abdominal pain, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for psychological stress and the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) for Gastrointestinal (GI) movements on the fifth day of their menstrual cycle prior to the intervention. Changes in these measures will be evaluated on the fifth day of the menstrual cycle following the intervention across the three cycles. The first cycle will serve as the baseline assessment, followed by evaluations during the subsequent cycles. Statistical analysis will be performed using paired t-tests and Chi-square tests, with statistical significance set at p≤0.05.
Authors: Sarika Trimbak Shinde, Hemanta Panigrahi, Jagruti Chple
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $275
OpenAlex ID: W4415075295
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