Kanimozhi Narkeesh

Motor cognitive processing speed estimation among the primary schoolchildren by deriving prediction formula: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Motor cognitive processing speed (MCPS) is often reported in terms of reaction time. In spite of being a significant indicator of function, behavior, and performance, MCPS is rarely used in clinics and schools to identify kids with slowed motor cognitive processing. The reason behind this is the lack of availability of convenient formula to estimate MCPS. Thereby, the aim of this study is to estimate the MCPS in the primary schoolchildren. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and four primary schoolchildren, aged 6–12 years, were recruited by the cluster sampling method for this cross-sectional study. MCPS was estimated by the ruler drop method (RDM). By this method, a metallic stainless steel ruler was suspended vertically such that 5 cm graduation of the lower was aligned between the web space of the childs hand, and the child was asked to catch the moving ruler as quickly as possible, once released from the examiners hand. Distance the ruler traveled was recorded and converted into time, which is the MCPS. Multiple regression analysis of variables was performed to determine the influence of independent variables on MCPS. Results: Mean MCPS of the entire sample of 204 primary schoolchildren is 230.01 ms ± 26.5 standard deviation (95% confidence interval; 226.4–233.7 ms) that ranged from 162.9 to 321.6 ms. By stepwise regression analysis, we derived the regression equation, MCPS (ms) = 279.625–5.495 × age, with 41.3% (R = 0.413) predictability and 17.1% (R2 = 0.171 and adjusted R2 = 0.166) variability. Conclusion: MCPS prediction formula through RDM in the primary schoolchildren has been established.

Reaction time norms as measured by ruler drop method in school-going South Asian children: A cross-sectional study

This study aimed to estimate normative range for reaction time using ruler drop method for school-going South Asian children between 6 and 12 years of age. A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate the reaction time for 204 children. Normal values for each age group were obtained. The results of multiple linear regressions showed a decrease in the reaction time values with age, and a significant change occurring between six and eight years of age. No difference in reaction time was obtained between boys and girls. Ruler drop method is an easy to use test and the results of this study provide a normative data for age groups 6-12 years ranging from 214.2ms to 248.8ms. These values can serve as a reference to screen children with delayed reaction time.

Feasibility online survey to estimate physical activity level among the students studying professional courses: a cross-sectional online survey

The aim of the study was to estimate the physical activity (PA) level among the professional college students in North India. One hundred three professional college students in the age group of 18–25 years were recruited by simple random sampling for this cross-sectional online survey. The survey was advertised on the social networking sites (Facebook, WhatsApp) through a link www.surveymonkey.com/r/MG-588BY. A Short Form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for this survey study. The questionnaire included total 8 questions on the basis of previous 7 days. The questionnaire consists of 3 main categories which were vigorous, moderate and high PA. Time spent in each activity level was multiplied with the metabolic equivalent of task (MET), which has previously set to 8.0 for vigorous activity, 4.0 for moderate activity, 3.3 for walking, and 1.5 for sitting. By multiplying MET with number of days and minutes performed weekly, amount of each activity level was calculated and measured as MET-min/wk. Further by adding MET minutes for each activity level, total MET-min/wk was calculated. Total number of 100 students participated in this study, and it was shown that all professional course students show different levels in PA. The total PA level among professional college students, which includes, physiotherapy, dental, medical, nursing, lab technician, pharmacy, management, law, engineering, were 434.4 (0–7,866), 170.3 (0–1,129), 87.7 (0–445), 102.8 (0–180), 469 (0–1,164), 0 (0–0), 645 (0–1,836), 337 (0–1,890), 396 (0–968) MET-min/wk respectively. PA levels among professional college students in North India have been established.

Multi-directional reach test in South Asian children: Normative reference scores from 5 year to 12 years old

Multi-directional reach test (MRT) emerged as a valid and reliable assessment tool for balance evaluation among elderly. The normative reference scores have been established in adults and elderly people, but they were not yet established for children. Hence, we aimed at establishing the normative reference scores of MRT among the school going children aged between 5 and 12 years. Children (N = 194; 124 males, 70 females) were recruited by the stratified random sampling for the normative study. MRT was performed by the custom made, multi-directional reach estimator. MRE device consists of three adjustable wooden frames with two metallic rulers each of 600 mm. Children were asked to reach maximum distance in forward reach (FR), backward reach (BR), right lateral reach (RLR) and left lateral reach (LLR) directions to obtain their maximum reaching ability. The mean of three readings were used to report the normative reference scores of MRT. Median age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were 8.5 years, 1240 mm, 27 kg and 17.24 kg/m2 respectively. The normative reference scores [median (95% confidence Interval, CI)] of MRT among the children aged 5-12 years old were FR [169.7 mm (CI, 166.1-183.3 mm)], BR [77.7 mm (CI, 78.0-85.5 mm)], RLR [122.0 mm (119.6-130.9 mm)] and LLR [107.0 (105.8-119.3 mm)] respectively.

Non-pharmacological therapies for primary open angle glaucoma: A quasi-experimental pilot study

Purpose: One of the major causes of blindness is Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and it has only surgical treatment and lifelong use of medication. Hence many side effects arise. To overcome this, the drugless approach is in practice but the importance of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Myofacial (MFR) Release is not explored. Hence, our objective was to determine the effectiveness of MET and MFR on POAG. Methods: A total of 12 patients with POAG were recruited from the tertiary care teaching hospital through criteria based convenience sampling for the study. But nine patients with POAG completed the study. The age of the patient with POAG ranges from 15 to 30 years. MET and MFR were given to the patient for 30 min/day, six days/week for three weeks. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was assessed with Tonometer as dependent variable by Ophthalmologist. Pre and post treatment IOP change was established. Result: Pre IOP and Post are 23.1 ± 1.9 mmHg and Post IOP is 20 ± 1.4 mmHg respectively. The mean pre-post difference is 3.1 ± 1.9 mmHg with significance difference of p = 0.002. Conclusion: MET and MFR reduce IOP. This proves to be one of the feasible and cost effective treatments in the management of POAG. Clinical Trial Registry: CTRI/2014/09/4986

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT IMPROVES FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY IN ACQUIRED DYKE-DAVIDOFF MASSON SYNDROME

*1 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurophysiotherapy, MMIPR, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana Ambala-Haryana, India. 2 Assistant Professor, MMIPR, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana Ambala-Haryana, India. 3 Professor and Principal, MMIPR, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana Ambala-Haryana, India. 4 Professor, Physiotherapy College, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India.

High alert! Alarming rise in the Prevalence of cardiovascular risk events among the students of medical profession in India

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk events increase at an alarming rate among student of medical profession (SMP) in India. By estimating the prevalence, awareness could be created and further consequences could be prevented at early stage. The prevalence of CVD risk events was found to be 12.4% among SMP in India. Because evidence suggests that at early stage pathophysiological process for CVD begins.

Single breath count: a simple pulmonary function test using a mobile app

Sir, Single breath count (SBC) is the maximum measure of serial counting of numbers in normal speaking voice after a maximal inhalation [1]. Previous work has demonstrated that SBC has good correlation with the gold standard measures of pulmonary function test (PFT), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) [1]. SBC can effectively replace the complex laboratory measurement of PFT. It can be measured at the bedside of the patient during regular ward rounds and even in outpatient departments (OPD). Normative data of SBC was available among the children [2, 3] and adults with myasthenia gravis [4]. To date, no reference norms for SBC were available among the college going young adults. Hence, we have aimed at determining the reference norms of SBC among the college going young adults using a mobile phone application. This was an observational study with a crosssectional approach carried out during the period of October 2016 and November 2016 recruiting 183 college going young adults aged, 18–26 years by a simple random sampling technique. The study protocol was approved by the institutional student project committee. The study was done in accordance to the Declaration of Helsinki (revised 2013) and the BEthical guidelines for biomedical research on participants^ drafted by Indian Council of Medical Research 2006 [5]. Before the recruitment, written informed consent was obtained from all the potential participants. The young adults who were cooperative and able to perform SBC were included. However, young adults who were unable to count or having difficulty in articulation were excluded from taking part in the study. The anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were recorded according to the standardized procedure adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [6]. The method of performing SBC were demonstrated by the principal investigator using Metronome Beats® App, version 3.5.0 [7], compatible with mobile-based android operating system, version 6.0, Marshallow and higher. Metronome was set at the frequency of 2 bps before beginning to record SBC. Recruited potential participants were made to sit on a chair in a relaxed position and instructed to perform maximum count in normal speaking sound intensity in single breath after deep inspiration above the normal tidal volume according to the metronome beat. If the participants’ counting * Asir John Samuel asirjohnsamuel@mmumullana.org

Efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment approach in the patient with pulmonary fibrosis in critical care outpatient department

The purpose of the present case study was to explore the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in patient with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in the critical care outpatient department. Here, we present a 48-year-old male case with breathlessness, increased frequency of defecation, and pain in and around the nape of neck with diagnosed pulmonary fibrosis. He scored 3 on a patient-reported modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Osteopathic examination reveals multiple somatic findings across the chest and abdominal region and treated by OMT. Pre- and post-intervention changes were assessed by the 13-item shortness of breath with daily activities (13iSOBDA). 27.2, 22, 16.4, and 11.8 were noted at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week of intervention, respectively, on 13iSOBDA while mMRC decreased from 3 to 1. OMT may be a feasible option in decreasing the symptoms of the PPF in the critical care outpatient department.