Real-World Application of Shankhaprakshalana (a Yogic Technique) in Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in a Busy Outpatient Clinic: An External Validation Study

Abstract

Objectives

Achieving optimal bowel preparation is pivotal for successful colonoscopy. However, in the real-world scenario, this is challenging. A recent study by Panigrahi et al sheds light on Shankhaprakshalana (SP) as a promising method in achieving optimal bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Our primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of SP in the bustling environment of a real-world outpatient clinic.

Materials and Methods

It was a prospective study conducted at Kalinga Gastroenterology Foundation, Cuttack, between May and August 2024. Patients requiring colonoscopy underwent bowel preparation by SP using the previously described methodology. Patients having poor performance status, diagnosed with bowel stricture and with history of abdominal surgery, and those unable to perform SP were excluded. Bowel preparation was assessed using Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS).

Results

SP was performed in 101 patients. The mean age of the patients was 43.57 (±13.54) years. The mean BBPS score was 8.6 (±0.7). Bowel preparation was adequate in all patients (100%). The mean segmental BBPS for the three segments of the colon (right, transverse, and left) were 2.8 (±0.3), 3.0 (±0.6), and 3.0 (±0.6), respectively. Bowel preparation was completed in 143 (±24) minutes, with an average of 6 (±2) motions. The cecal intubation time was 7 (±3) minutes and the median visual analog scale (VAS) score for patient-reported discomfort during colonoscopy was 0 (0–5). Ninety-seven percent of the patients were willing to repeat the procedure using SP.

Conclusions

In a busy, outpatient setting, SP is an efficacious and highly acceptable bowel preparation regimen prior to colonoscopy.

Keywords

bowel preparation solutions - bowel evacuants - effectiveness - acceptability - yoga

Authors' Contributions

P.A. contributed to the methodology, data curation, investigation, writing—original draft preparation, formal analysis, and validation. A.K.N. contributed to data curation, methodology, and investigation. S.P.S. contributed to conceptualization, methodology, supervision, visualization, validation, resources, writing—reviewing and editing, and project administration. C.R.K. contributed to writing—reviewing and editing. M.K.P. contributed to the methodology and supervision.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethics Approval Statement

Ethical approval was taken from the Kalinga Gastroenterology Foundation (KGF) Institutional Ethics Committee, Cuttack, Odisha

Patient Consent Statement

Informed consent has been taken from all subjects prior to the study.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
20. März 2025

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