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@article{209612,
        author = {Dr. JAYANTHI K S and Dr. Gururaj D and Dr. Rajkiran},
        title = {Efficacy of Prachanna Karma Using a Derma Roller in Khalitya Vis-a-Vis Androgenetic Alopecia An Open Label Randomized Controlled Clinical Study},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {5},
        pages = {2848-2858},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=209612},
        abstract = {Background: Khalitya is an Ayurvedic description of progressive hair loss and has been correlated in the present study with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Prachanna Karma, a form of Shastra-krita Raktamokshana, is traditionally used for localized pathological conditions. A Derma Roller provides multiple controlled punctures over a wider scalp area and may offer a standardized alternative to individual puncture using an insulin needle. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Prachanna Karma performed using a Derma Roller in patients with Khalitya and compare its efficacy with Prachanna Karma performed using an insulin needle. Methods: An open-label, randomised controlled clinical study was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with Khalitya. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups of 20 each. Group A received Prachanna Karma using a Derma Roller, while Group B received Prachanna Karma using an insulin needle. Procedures were performed on days 0, 7, 14 and 21, and assessments were conducted on days 0, 28 and 56. Subjective parameters included Kesha Bhoomi, Kesha Bhoomi Rukshata, Kesha Bhoomi Kandu, Darunaka and Pull Test. Objective parameters included the Modified Norwood–Hamilton Scale, hair density, hair diameter and hair root gap. Results: Both groups showed improvement in most assessed outcomes by day 56. Kesha Bhoomi improved by 43.90% in Group A and 36.84% in Group B, with statistically significant within-group improvement in both groups (P<0.001); however, the between-group difference was not statistically significant (P=0.1898; rank-biserial correlation=0.19). Kesha Bhoomi Rukshata improved by 48.72% in Group A and 48.39% in Group B, with no statistically significant between-group difference (P=0.2542). Kesha Bhoomi Kandu improved by 83.33% in Group A and 66.67% in Group B. The between-group difference was statistically significant during the first 28 days (P=0.0381; rank-biserial correlation=0.35), but not over the overall 0–56-day period (P=0.2842). Hair density increased by 11.78% in Group A and 7.64% in Group B, with no statistically significant between-group difference (P=0.1103; Cohen’s d=0.52). Hair diameter increased by 12.66% in Group A and 9.52% in Group B (P=0.5737; Cohen’s d=0.18). Modified Norwood–Hamilton scores improved by 23.45% in Group A and 22.58% in Group B, with no statistically significant between-group difference (P=0.1619). The Pull Test remained unchanged in both groups. Overall, 80% of participants in Group A (10% marked and 70% moderate improvement) and 25% in Group B demonstrated moderate or marked improvement. Conclusion: Both Derma Roller and insulin-needle Prachanna Karma were associated with improvement in clinical and objective parameters of Khalitya over 56 days. Derma Roller treatment demonstrated a faster improvement in scalp itching and numerically greater improvement in several hair-growth measures, but the study did not demonstrate statistically significant overall superiority of the Derma Roller over the insulin needle.},
        keywords = {Androgenetic Alopecia, Derma Roller, Hair diameter, Hair density, Khalitya, Microneedling, Prachanna Karma. Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry–India, CTRI/2025/06/088614.},
        month = {October},
        }