A Comparative Study of Pulmonary Function Parameters in Construction Workers and Normal Healthy Volunteers.

Construction work is common all over the world. Construction workers are exposed to various physical, chemical, biological and ergonomic hazards that may directly affect respiratory health. Aim of the study was to assess construction workers' pulmonary function and compare pulmonary function with healthy volunteers. This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology ARMCH & RC, Solapur, India from March 2022 to March 2023 on construction workers (n=25) and healthy subjects (n=25). Pulmonary function assessment in both groups was done using a Spiro Excel machine spirometer. The comparison was made between both groups for frequency of respiratory symptoms, spirometry pattern, and spirometry values. Statistical software used unpaired t-test and chi-square test. A normal pattern was observed in 40.0% of healthy subjects compared to 72.0% of construction workers (p<0.05). Restrictive and mixed patterns were evident in 4.0% and 1.0%, respectively, in healthy volunteers compared to 11.0% and 3.0% in construction workers (p<0.05). Statistical difference was seen in all lung function parameters, i.e. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, FEF 25.0-75.0%, PEFR except MVV between both groups. In conclusion the construction workers are at risk of respiratory function derangement. This derangement is in the form of increased frequency of respiratory symptoms, restrictive & mixed patterns and decreased spirometry values of various parameters.

Students' Perception of Online Platform Based Tutorial in Physiology Curriculum.

Tutorial is one of the effective ways of interactive small group teaching activity sessions. The tutorial is a short series of classes that is ideally conducted in the small group. The use of media in the form of online platforms in tutorials could be very useful. Aims of the study to evaluate the response and perception of students about the small group learning activities like Online platform tutorials in the medical undergraduate Physiology curriculum. This was the cross-sectional study done in the Physiology Department, AIIMS, Bhopal, India from 2022 to 2023 which involved first-year MBBS students (n=39). Five online platforms-based tutorials were taken whereby five topics- one for each system were discussed. In this form of tutorial, 20 to 25 minutes were focussed on discussion, followed by assessment by multiple choice questions through an online platform. Perceptions of students were assessed through a predesigned validated questionnaire, which involved open-ended and close-ended questions. Likert scale questionnaires were also used. The chi-square test and odds ratio was used to see the difference between categorical variable (yes vs. no). The mean and Median score of the Likert scale was reported. The major issue faced was the failure to promote writing skills followed by connectivity problems. Seventy-eight percent (78.0%) of participants liked this form of tutorial, and 94.0% of participants advocated using it in the future. Online platform-based tutorials motivated 84.0% of students to learn topics in a better way. However, 41.0% feared that it does not involve communication and 92.0% opined that writing skill is not promoted. Online platform-based tutorials should be used in the Physiology curriculum. However, infrastructure in the form of prior training and internet connection must be provided. Conventional forms of tutorial should also be used to promote communication and writing skills.

Assessment of Sleep Quality Using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire in Undergraduate and Post Graduate Medical College Students in Bhopal.

In an attempt to deal with their workload and stressful atmosphere, medical students often cut down on their sleep. Sleep not only has an impact on cognitive functions, but it is also essential for stress recovery and tiredness removal. The study was done to determine the quality of sleep using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among medical students in Bhopal. This cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study of 408 medical (MBBS or MD) students from AIIMS and GMC, Bhopal, was undertaken from June 2020 to September 2020. They were presented with online self-administered questionnaire (Google forms). The Google forms were organized into four sections: student's information sheet, consent form, demographic data (gender, age, and year of education separately for PG and UG) and PSQI questionnaires. The mean age of all undergraduate and post graduate students (n=408) volunteered to participated in this study was 21.76±3.01 years of which 170 students (41.7%) had age less than: ≤20 years, 23(56.9%) between 21-30 years and 06(1.5%) of the participants had age between 31-40 years. The age (years) ranged from 18-38 years. The number of male and female students were 251(61.5%) and 157(38.5%) respectively. Out of the total number of participants, 335(82.1%) were MBBS students and 73(17.9%) were MD/MS students. N-parametric tests (Kruskal Wallis Test) were used to make group comparisons. The mean global score for MBBS and Post graduate students were 6.11±3.06 and 6.00±3.64 respectively which reflect poor quality of sleep. Variables of sleep latency, sleep duration and daytime dysfunction were variables were significantly associated (p<0.05). There should be more academic counseling facilities at medical schools that emphasize the need of getting enough sleep.

Innovative Approach of Learning Physiology through National Level Quiz.

Quiz has been considered an innovative practice of teaching. Self-directed learning is promoted by the quiz and this would help in better retention and help in clearing the concept of the students. The study aimed to assess the perception of the National level quiz conducted by the Physiology Department at AIIMS, Bhopal amongst participants from all over India through the questionnaire-based survey. This cross-sectional study was done based on questionnaire-based feedback from the students (29 number) participating in National Physiology Quiz. A pre-designed, structured, pre-validated questionnaire that includes close-ended questions based on the Likert scale and open-ended questions was distributed to participants and their responses were recorded. The Mean ±SD scores and median scores of 20 feedback questionnaires were evaluated using Microsoft excel software. The majority of the students (Mean more than 6) agreed that attempting/ attending the majority of the rounds was a good learning experience. The further quiz developed an interest in innovatively reading Physiology, it developed novel ideas and develop an interest in research activities and it helped us to improve communication and would help in clinical practice. Participants suggested conducting a screening round online (86.0%) and an audio-visual round (41.0%) was liked most, followed by a rapid-fire round (31.0%). National level quiz is an enjoyable activity for students and it promotes active learning in the students.

Effect of Slow and Deep Breathing on Brain Waves in Regular Yoga Practitioners.

Various yogic practices focus on breathing. Breathing may affect brain waves. This cross-sectional study was conducted to see the effect slow and deep respiration on EEG activity in experienced Yoga practitioners at the Department of Physiology at AIIMS, Bhopal, India. The duration of the study was about one year. EEG was taken and was analyzed by Dinamika - Advanced Test System, Moscow, Russia. Paired t-test using graph pad software was used for statistical analysis. The Delta percentage decreased and the other wave's percentages theta, alpha, and beta increased significantly. The person becomes deeply relaxed and more focussed on slow and deep breathing.