International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, Vol 11 (2), 165-169 Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN No: 0976-5921 Review Article Key Words: Anguli pramana, Systematic review, Standard method, Measurement, Breadth of middle finger. Introduction Anguli pramana is an ancient form of anthropometric measurement where individual’s own finger width is used as a unit of measurement. In Ayurveda, the term ‘anguli’ (breadth of one’s own finger) has been accepted as smallest unit for measuring body parts. (1) Various references from ancient texts explain that Pramana sharira plays important role in determination of life span as well as the quality of life. The persons having appropriate measurement may attain a long span life span and prosperity; with moderate and poor measurements, they may attain medium and short lives respectively. (2) It is a unique method of assessment of health and nutritional status of an individual. Different researchers had attempted to standardize the Anguli pramana. In ancient method of measurement exactly which finger should be used for measurement is not mentioned by acharya Charak and Sushruta. But there are some references in classical texts like Kautiliya Arthashastra and Sharangdhar Samhita in this regard. Said references reveal that Anguli pramana can be taken as, 1. Width of middle finger at proximal interphalangeal joint, (3) (4) 2. Width of proximal end of nail of thumb, (4) (5) 3. Measurement obtained by taking width of the palm and then dividing it by four. (6) (7) Considering such kind of various opinions about Anguli pramana there was a pressing need to find out standard method of measurement technique in Anguli pramana. Present systematic review includes all the previous studies in concerned topic i.e. both Anguli pramana and standard method of measurement of the same as primary or secondary outcome. This systematic review aims to review all the published literature and to provide comprehensive details on Anguli pramana. Materials and methods Literature Search Strategy The preferred reporting items of systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed while conducting this systematic review. (8) The studies in this systematic review were selected on the basis of protocol described in (9) that defines the search strategy, inclusion criteria, information extraction process etc. A systematic search was conducted on six libraries or databases including Google scholar, AYUSH Research portal, DHARA online, Pub med, Shodhganga, eShodhSindhu and other sources like Grey literature by utilizing all the keywords and MeSH terminologies related to the topic of interest. Table 1 shows search strategy based on key words for various A Systematic Review: Standard Measurement method of Anguli pramana Visave Pratibha 1* , Deepnarayan Shukla 2 , Deepali Choudhari 3 1. Associate Professor, Siddhakala Ayurved College, Sangamner, Maharashtra 2. H.O.D. & Professor, Department of Rachana Sharir, R. A. Podar Ayurved Medical College, Mumbai 3. H.O.D. & Associate Professor S.S.T. Ayurved College, Sangamner, Maharashtra Abstract Introduction: Anguli pramana is an ancient form of anthropometric measurements where individual’s own finger width is used as a unit of measurement. Different researchers had attempted to standardize the Anguli pramana. This systematic review aims to review all the available published literature and to provide the narrative summary on Anguli pramana. Methods: References were sought in Google scholar, AYUSH Research portal, DHARA online, Pub med, Shodhganga, eShodhSindhu datasets and other sources like Grey literature by utilizing all the keywords and MeSH terminologies. Following PRISMA guidelines, 32 full-text eligible papers were assessed and 9 articles extracted for study design, population parameters, methodology, evaluation system, outcome and other relevant findings. Result: 5 out of 9 studies have reconfirmed that breadth of middle finger (BM) of right hand proved as more accurate method of measurement in Anguli pramana while in 3 studies average of right and left middle finger at proximal interphalangeal joint is used as a method of measurement. Only 1 study shows use of average of breadth of four fingers at metacarpophalangeal joints of right and left hand as a method of measurement. Discussion: Present systematic review concludes that breadth of middle finger of the right hand at proximal interphalangeal joint (BM) is the standard method of measurement for Anguli pramana. 165 * Corresponding Author: Visave Pratibha Associate Professor, Department of Rachana Sharir, Siddhakala Ayurved College, Sangamner, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. India Email Id: pratibha.pps@gmail.com