Analysis of Psychophysiological Stress Response in Higher Education Students Undergoing Clinical Practice Evaluation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychophysiological response of Physiotherapy degree students during a complete clinical practice as well as their psychological profile in relation to coping style in stressful situations, and its impact on academic performance. We analysed in 15 students heart rate variability (HRV) to analyse autonomic modulation in three moments during the entire clinical practices of 3 months (4 h per day, 3 days per week), first session, middle session and last session; perceived stress, personality, life engagement, cognitive flexibility before starting the clinical practice the academic performance after the clinical practice. Results based on HRV and related indexes parameters fail to indicate the expected autonomic adaptation during the practice. A complete clinical practice of Physiotherapy degree students did not produce an habituation process since a high sympathetic autonomic nervous system modulation was measured in the beginning, at the middle and at the final of the clinical practice. Below-average scores are presented in a personality factor associated with traditional and non-adaptive coping styles that could explain the non-habituation of the students. Finally, none of the analyzed indexes has been able to relate to academic performance.

Relationship of the skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness in the tensiomyography response: a novel ultrasound observational study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe and correlate the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia thickness assessed by ultrasonography (US) with the lumbar erector spinae muscles contractile properties evaluated by tensiomyography (TMG). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study with 50 healthy participants was performed. The point of maximum lordosis in the lumbar region of the right erector spinae was evaluated by US and TMG. First, the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia thicknesses (cm) were assessed by US. Second, the five contractile TMG parameters were analyzed from the right erector spinae muscles belly displacement-time curves: maximal radial displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), sustain time (Ts), delay time (Td), and half-relaxation time (Tr). Finally, correlation analyses using Pearson (r for parametric data) and Spearman (rs for non-parametric data) coefficients were performed. RESULTS: A strong negative correlation was shown between Dm and subcutaneous tissue thickness (rs=-0.668; P<.001). Furthermore, moderate negative correlations were observed between Dm and skin thickness (r=-0.329; P=0.020) as well as Tr and subcutaneous tissue thickness (rs=-0.369; P=0.008). The rest of the parameters did not show statistically significant correlations (P >.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore, the lumbar erector spinae contractile properties during TMG assessments, especially Dm and Tr, may be widely correlated by the skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness.

Relationship of the skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness in the tensiomyography response: a novel ultrasound observational study

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe and correlate the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia thickness assessed by ultrasonography (US) with the lumbar erector spinae muscles contractile properties evaluated by tensiomyography (TMG). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study with 50 healthy participants was performed. The point of maximum lordosis in the lumbar region of the right erector spinae was evaluated by US and TMG. First, the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia thicknesses (cm) were assessed by US. Second, the five contractile TMG parameters were analyzed from the right erector spinae muscles belly displacement-time curves: maximal radial displacement (Dm), contraction time (Tc), sustain time (Ts), delay time (Td), and half-relaxation time (Tr). Finally, correlation analyses using Pearson (r for parametric data) and Spearman (rs for non-parametric data) coefficients were performed. RESULTS: A strong negative correlation was shown between Dm and subcutaneous tissue thickness (rs=-0.668; P<.001). Furthermore, moderate negative correlations were observed between Dm and skin thickness (r=-0.329; P=0.020) as well as Tr and subcutaneous tissue thickness (rs=-0.369; P=0.008). The rest of the parameters did not show statistically significant correlations (P >.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore, the lumbar erector spinae contractile properties during TMG assessments, especially Dm and Tr, may be widely correlated by the skin and subcutaneous tissue thickness.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: O estudo foi elaborado para descrever e correlacionar a pele, o tecido subcutâneo e a espessura da fascia superficial avaliados pelo ultrassom (EUA) com as propriedades contráteis do músculo eretor da coluna lombar avaliadas por tensiomiografia (TMG). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal com 50 participantes saudáveis. O ponto de lordose máxima na região lombar da coluna ereta direita foi avaliado pelos EUA e TMG. Primeiro, a pele, o tecido subcutâneo e as espessuras da fáscia superficial (cm) foram avaliadas pelos EUA. Em segundo lugar, os cinco parâmetros TMG contráteis foram analisados a partir das curvas de deslocamento-tempo da barriga do músculo eretor da espinha direita: deslocamento radial máximo (Dm), tempo de contração (Tc), tempo de sustentação (Ts), tempo de atraso (Td) e meio tempo de relaxamento (Tr). Finalmente, foram realizadas análises de correlação usando os coeficientes Pearson (r para dados paramétricos) e Spearman (rs para dados não paramétricos). RESULTADOS: Uma correlação forte negativa foi mostrada entre Dm e espessura subcutânea do tecido (rs = −0,668; P < 0,001). Além disso, foram observadas correlações moderadas negativas entre Dm e espessura da pele (r = −0,329; P = 0,020), bem como a espessura subcutânea do tecido (rs = −0,369; P = 0,008). O restante dos parâmetros não mostrou correlações estatisticamente significativas (P > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Portanto, as propriedades contráteis do eretor da espinha lombar durante as avaliações TMG, especialmente Dm e Tr, podem ser amplamente correlacionadas com a pele e a espessura subcutânea do tecido.

The use of reflective journaling as a learning strategy during the clinical rotations of students from the faculty of health sciences: An action-research study.

BACKGROUND: Reflective practice contributes significantly to the assimilation of knowledge in undergraduate health students. Reflective journals constitute a learning strategy that promotes student reflection during clinical practice. AIMS: The overall aim of the study was to explore teachers' perceptions and experiences regarding the use of reflective clinical journals as a learning tool for students in order to improve the implementation of clinical journal writing in all the Health Science degrees offered by our University. METHOD: A qualitative research study was performed using the Action-Research method. Students studying various degrees at our Health Faculty were considered for this study (Nursing Physiotherapy, and Physiotherapy and Physical Activity and Sport Science). Data were collected using triangulation of document analysis (102 student journals and 12 teacher journals, together with the teachers' responses to the student's journals) and transcripts from 2 discussion groups (1 student discussion group and 1 teacher discussion group). Data analysis was performed based on the constant comparative method using ATLAS.ti version 6.2 software. RESULTS: Four qualitative themes emerged from the data: the journal as a teaching strategy; building a relationship of trust between the tutor and the student; the role of the teacher and the world of emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Several recommendations for supporting clinical journal writing were identified: an informative meeting should be arranged with students; written guidelines should be provided; a personal interview with the student is recommended at the start of the activity; feedback should be offered over short time periods; teachers should provide constructive feedback; and students should adopt a free writing approach, or be guided by very open questions. Finally, it is important that students be familiarized with the assessment criteria.