Implementation and Evaluation of Priming as a Teaching-learning Tool for Enhancing Physiology Learning Among Medical Undergraduates

Background: It has been observed over the years that despite the best efforts of the teachers in reinforcingkey concepts in their lectures, the outcome in terms of students’ performance is not commensurate withthe efforts, especially when the students in question are mediocre. Our study focusses on a teachinginnovation that is more student-centric (active) than teacher-centric.Objectives: To demonstrate the benefits of priming students before delivering formal (didactic) lecture onkey concepts.Methods: Students were randomly divided in two groups (A and B). Both the groups were primed on differenttopics with an open-book MCQ based test, before didactic lectures. This was followed by didactic lectureson these topics and subsequent MCQ based assessment of both the groups, where one group serving asa control for the other and vice-versa. Marks obtained were compared between the groups using MannWhitney U test. Questionnaire was also administered to elicit their views on the method.Results: The mean marks scored by “Group A” primed on Nerve-Muscle topics (17.08±1.85) were significantlyhigher (p=0.0037) than the marks scored by the unprimed group (15.94±1.82). Improvement was observedin “Group B” primed on Blood-Immunity topics also but was statistically non-significant. (17.28±1.73 Vs16.74±1.81, p=0.1351). The students’ declared the ‘self-priming ‘process as an effective way of learning,which helped in better orientation during class-room lectures.Conclusion: The study proves the combination of student-centric priming model and didactic lecture assuperior to the conventional, teacher-centric method alone.

Sphygmomanometric Blood Pressure Drop on Consecutive Measurements : The Search for a Cause.

This study was inspired by our oft-noted observation that the first sphygmomanometric reading of blood pressure (BP) is invariably higher than the subsequent ones recorded immediately thereafter. The objectives of this study were to establish the statistical validity of this observation and further, to probe the possible causes of the same. The sphygmomanometric BP was recorded in 30 non-obese young adults using two different protocols. In protocol-1, BP in the left arm was repeated thrice in quick succession, both in standing and supine postures. In protocol-2, BP was recorded in the supine position six times in quick succession, thrice in the left arm and immediately thereafter, thrice in the right arm. Data was compiled and analysed using appropriate statistical tests. In protocol-1, a statistically-significant drop in the blood pressure was consistently noted between quickly consecutive measurements in both standing and supine postures. Importantly, this pressure drop was not significantly affected by posture. In protocol-2, significant pressure drop was recordable from both arms. These findings rule out baroreflex as a cause of the pressure-drop on consecutive measurements and suggest a likely role of tissue compaction in the same.

Protective role of ascorbic acid in hemorrhage-induced cardiovascular depression.

Haemorrhagic shock is associated with hyperproduction of free radicals. Hence ascorbic acid (AA), a free radical scavenger, may be of benefit in such cases. We investigated in Wistar rats the role of free radicals in causing cardiovascular depression and the protective role of ascorbic acid, if any, in acute haemorrhage. The rats were catheterized for recording hemodynamic parameters. Acute haemorrhage was induced through phlebotomy followed by resuscitation. The test group received AA for 3 days before inducing haemorrhage and was resuscitated with AA and Ringer’s lactate. The controls received only ringer lactate. Malondialdehyde was estimated to assess free-radical production. All rats showed significant fall in cardiovascular parameters with simultaneous increase in MDA level. While all rats showed significant improvement following resuscitation, the recovery was greater in the test group. The MDA levels decreased significantly in the ascorbic acid treated group. Our results demonstrate the involvement of free radicals in hemorrhage-induced cardiovascular depression and the cardio-protective effect of ascorbic acid.

Assessment of bronchial responsiveness on exposure to isometric exercise during different phases of menstrual cycle: A pilot study.

Objectives: The present study was planned to assess the effects of gonadal steroids (estrogen and progesterone) on bronchial responsiveness, before and after handgrip exercise, during different phases of menstrual cycle. Materials and Methods:In this study, 30 healthy (25-40 years), non-athletic, adult female volunteers were studied. The various pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV 1 , PEFR, FEF 25-75% ) were recorded with a spirometer under resting conditions and then within five minutes of cessation of isometric exercise. Recordings were taken during the Menstrual phase (MP), Proliferative phase (PP), and Luteal phase (LP) of menstrual cycle and were confirmed by plasma levels of estrogen and progesterone. The oral temperature was recorded during each phase of the menstrual cycle. Results : Under resting conditions, the above-mentioned parameters did not reveal significant differences during the three phases. A significant fall was observed only in the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) during all the phases after handgrip, but there was a non-significant decline in the other parameters. Conclusion : By this study we conclude that the physiological changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle are not in themselves associated with changes in airway responsiveness before and after the handgrip test. The general fall seen in the pulmonary parameters could be due to fatigue or psychic factors.