Background:Nerve conduction studies are performed to diagnose the disorders of the peripheral nervous system. The reference values for nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and late responses for different nerves considerably vary in different group and type of population. Physiological factors such as age, temperature, height, and gender affect the NCV. However, there are very few studies which show the age group at which these changes become significant.Aim and Objectives:The aim of the study was to establish the electrophysiological data of the specific age group at which changes in NCV as well as late responses of median common peroneal nerve and also see the late response in the form of F-waves and H-reflex.Methodology:Study groups were divided into three categories based on the age: Group I (18–30 years) (n = 80), Group II (31–45 years) (n = 43), and Group III (46–60 years) (n = 27). Out of which, 93 patients were male and 57 were female. The NCVs were determined for median, common peroneal nerve (motor component and sensory component) along with late responses in the form of H-reflex and F-waves.Results:The mean and standard deviation of median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerve was studied for latencies, amplitude, and velocities for both sensory and motor components. Patients with older age had longer latencies, smaller amplitudes, and slower conduction velocities compared with the younger age group. The change with age was greater in sensory nerve conduction and late responses in all the peripheral nerves.Conclusions:Aging has a definite correlation with the NCV and late responses of different peripheral nerves. There is a need to have reference values with relation to age.

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Electrophysiological parameters especially the late responses which include H reflex analysis are of great significance and importance in diagnosing and predicting the level of nerve root involvement radiculopathy patients. The main objective of the present study was to analyse the electrophysiological parameters like amplitude and latency for prediction of nerve root involvement in lumbar radiculopathy patients. The present research project study was undertaken on 50 diagnosed patients of lumbar radiculopathy. The study participants were between the age group of 30-60 years and were having the low back pain ranging from 30-60 days. The bilateral nerve conduction studies were performed for posterior tibial nerve, sural nerve, and late responses like H waves were studied and analysed for amplitude and latency for all the patients. Patients with radiculopathy showed significant reduction in the amplitude of sural sensory nerve, the latencies were prolonged among the patients with L5-S1 root involvement based on the MRI findings. H wave’s amplitude asymmetry was significantly noted among the patients with L5-S1 root involvement suggesting the axonal compression at nerve root level earlier than the changes in the latencies for H waves. Prolonged latencies is reduction in the amplitude of sural nerve as well as, the amplitude asymmetry for late responses like H waves can be considered as one of the earlier signs of compression of the nerve roots in lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Background: Active learning methods like Self-directed learning and problem oriented learning are considered to be an important methods of learner centred approach of imparting knowledge in under graduate medical curriculum through integrated approach. Aim and objectives: To analyse and compare the efficacy of self-directed learning and problem oriented approach for physiology subject among first year MBBS students. Material and methods: The present study was conducted among 250 students of Phase I MBBS during the year 2019 for physiology course for cardiorespiratory modules. Group A (n=125) was administered with self- directed learning sessions, while group B (n=125) was administered with problem oriented learning session for the same topics. Following each session an objective assessment was conducted for all the topics covered in SDL and POL sessions and was assessed and analysed using unpaired t test.Results: Group A for self-directed learning sessions (group A) of cardiovascular physiology based on the analysis of the marks of objective type assessment; Maximum marks were obtained by 25.6% (32/125); while moderate marks 21.6% (27/125) by the students of Group A. Maximum marks were obtained by 31.2% (39/125) and moderate marks were obtained 47.2% (59/125) by the students for which significant difference in the p values was noted (n=0.008). For SDL sessions of respiratory system module (group A); maximum marks were obtained by 24% (30/125) ; while moderate marks by 23.5% (29/125) of students; for problem oriented sessions maximum marks were obtained by 32.8% (41/125) and moderate marks were obtained by 48% (60/125) students; Significant variations were found in both modules test scores (n=0.008) (n=0.009).The analysis of SDL and POL against the total scores of students in their internal assessment showed considerable differences between students attaining scores 80–89% in SDL and PBL, between 70–79% for both SDL and PBL with p values of =0.0192, and 0.01184, 0.0190, and 0.01179 respectively.Conclusion: Problem oriented learning sessions seems to be more effective way of delivering the concept as compared to self-directed learning sessions. There is a need of time for creating awareness and readiness of the learner for such type of learner centred active learning methods.