Association between Sleep Quality and Different Aspects of Memory along with Assessment of Post Exercise and Post Meditation Effects

Background and Aims : Sleep is a highly conserved behaviour across animal evolution. The functions of sleep include restoration, memory processing, dreaming etc. Memory is informational processing system with explicit and implicit functioning made up of sensory processor, short term memory and long term memory. The present study was designed to analyse the impact of sleep quality on memory and effect of exercise and meditation on same. Material and Method : The present study was performed on 110 subjects chosen randomly with no gender bias. In first phase, baseline values were assessed for different sub tests of sleep quality and different aspects of memory. Subjects were divided into two groups with each group including 27 males and 27 females. One group was required to perform moderate intensity exercise and other meditation for one month duration. In the second phase, parameters were again assessed. Statistical analysis : Paired t-test was used for comparison of memory and sleep components between males and females. Independent t-test was used between baseline and post intervention values of exercise, meditation. Correlation studies were also carried out between sleep quality and different aspects of memory using Pearson correlation coefficient. Result : Significant and non significant results were obtained on comparison of memory and sleep components in males and females. Total memory score was better in females. Exercise and meditation exhibited statistically significant result on memory and sleep quality. Conclusion : Good sleep quality is associated with better memory. There is improvement across domains of memory and sleep with meditation and exercise.

Assessment of Stress Parameters and Cognitive Functions in Different IQ-EQ Groups

There is individual variation in response to same type of stress depending on the IQ-EQ level. Stress effectsvarious parameters of higher mental functions such as attention, concentration, decision making, learning andmemory. Even the cognitive functions vary depending upon the variation in general and emotional level of aperson. This study was conducted on thirty-five healthy male volunteer students chosen randomly and aftertaking consent. The subjects were divided into four groups depending upon their IQ-EQ level. Parameters ofstress and cognitive functions were assessed between groups. Significant differences in four groups werefound for handgrip, ASS and serum cortisol. Low IQ high EQ and low IQ low EQ groups were most stressedout.

The role of motor nerve conduction: in cervical radiculopathy patients

Background: Cervical radiculopathy is the clinical description of when a nerve root in the cervical spine becomes inflamed or damaged, resulting in a change in neurological function. Neurological deficits, such as numbness, altered reflexes, or weakness, may radiate from the neck into the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers. Patient also complains of tingling, numbness or loss of sensation along with the nerve root dermatome. It is a substantial cause of disability and morbidity, and its cost-effective evaluation and treatment are crucial so there is a definite need to establish a cost effective, reliable, and accurate means for establishing the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. Electrodiagnostic tests are the closest to fulfil these criteria out of which nerve conduction tests are one of the electrodiagnostic test.Methods: In this study motor nerve conduction of ulnar and median nerve done in 30 clinically proven cervical radiculopathy patientsResults: There are significant decrease in the conduction velocity of both nerve (median nerve (51.60±7.5), Ulnar nerve (50.60±5.6)) and significantly increased in the mean latency of both nerve (median nerve (6.02±2.4), ulnar nerve (5.8±1.8)).Conclusions: Authors concluded that MNC is the specific test for the diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. At least the MNC of both nerves included in diagnostic criteria of cervical radiculopathy.

Vegetarian Diets: Health Benefits and Associated Risks.

Recently, vegetarian diets have experienced an increase in popularity. A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that wholesome vegetarian diets offer distinct advantages compared to diets containing meat and other foods of animal origin. A vegetarian diet may be adopted for various reasons that can include ecological, economic, religious, ethical, and health considerations. In the latter case they arise from the desire to lose weight, in tackling obesity, improving physical fitness and/or in reducing the risk of acquiring certain diseases. It has been shown that properly applied vegetarian diet is the most effective way of reducing body mass (expressed as BMI), improving the plasma lipid profile and in decreasing the incidence of high arterial blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, metabolic syndrome and arteriosclerosis. In addition, improved insulin sensitivity together with lower rates of diabetes and cancer has been observed. Some studies have however found that a vegetarian diet may result in changes adversely affecting the body. These include: hyperhomocysteinemia, protein deficiency anemia, decreased creatinine content in muscles and menstrual disruption in women who undertake increased physical activity. Some of these changes may decrease the ability for performing activities that require physical effort. Nevertheless, on balance it can be reasonably concluded that the beneficial effects of a vegetarian diet significantly, by far, outweigh the adverse ones. It should also be noted that the term ‘vegetarian diet’ is not always clearly defined in the literature and it may include many dietary variations.