Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome among students – Stress a potential risk factor

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms that occur prior to menstruation and disappear with its onset. This study aims to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors of PMS among the medical students. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey which includes 450 female health professional undergraduate and postgraduate students between the age group of 18–35years. A self-administered questionnaire for PMS and self-rating stress (perceived stress scale-PSS) was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of the PMS. Results: The prevalence of PMS among the student was 76.35%. Prevalence of PMS was significantly higher among the participants of age group 18–21 years, hostellers, participants who reported irregular physical activity and participants with high stress levels. The most common psychological symptom of PMS reported was reduced social interaction, followed by irritability while the most common somatic symptoms were aches and pains - muscle pain followed by abdominal bloating. PSS levels were significantly higher in females with PMS as compared to females without PMS. Conclusion: This study suggests that stress is a potential risk factor in increasing the incidence of PMS among young girls. PMS can impact the academic performance and decrease quality of life of students. Thus, interventions such as yoga and mind relaxing techniques should be adopted to minimize stress levels and thus improve the quality of life among young females who experience PMS

Effect of bhrāmarī Prāṇāyāma practice on pulmonary function in healthy adolescents: A randomized control study

Context: Prāṇāyāma, the fourth limb of ancient aṣṭāṅga yoga consists of breathing techniques which produce various physiological and psychological effects. Though various types of prāṇāyāma and their effects have been scientifically established, Bhrāmarī prāṇāyāma (Bhr.P) is the one whose effects still remain understated. Aims: The present study was conducted to find the effects of Bhrāmarī prāṇāyāma practice on pulmonary function in healthy adolescents. Study Design: Randomized control trial. Subjects and Methods: 90 healthy adolescents including 32 females and 58 males participated in the study. They were randomly divided into Bhr.P group (n = 45) and Control group (n = 45) by a simple lottery method. Pulmonary function test was done at baseline and at end of 12th week using RMS Helios spirometry. Prāṇāyāma group students were trained to do Bhr.P as 3 to 4 breaths/min for 5 min followed by 2 min rest. This was one cycle and in this way, they were instructed to do five cycles each time for 45 minutes five days in a week. Control group students were not allowed to practice any kind of exercise throughout the study period. Statistical Analysis: Student paired and unpaired T tests were used to analyse the intra group and intergroup differences using R statistical software. Results: A significant (P < 0.05) improvement in all pulmonary function parameters; FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF 25%-75% and PEFR was seen in the Bhr.P group than the control group adolescents. Slow vital capacity (SVC) and Maximum Voluntary Volume (MVV) also showed significant improvement in the prāṇāyāma group. Conclusions: Bhrāmarī Prāṇāyāma practice is effective in improving the pulmonary function among the adolescents which could be utilized for further clinical studies

Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on health – A systematic review

Background: Pranayama, a branch of yoga practice is extremely beneficial to mankind in maintaining sound physical and mental health and this article aims to attain an insight on the studies conducted on the effectiveness of Bhramari Pranayama (Bhr.P) on health. The studies done until May 2016 were found using Medline, Embase, Google scholar and manual search. Studies conducted on the health effectiveness of Bhr.P specifically were included on the basis of prisma guidelines. The data were defined by their objectives, methodology, study setting, findings, interventions done and implications suggested in the study. Methodological Quality Rating Scale (MQRS) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) were used in reviewing and reporting results of the included studies. 6 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria; 2 studies were done on the cold pressor test, one on heart rate and BP, one on EEG changes, one each on the inhibitory response and tinnitus condition. In the included studies, the Bhr.P practices have shown para-sympathetic dominance. There are some encouraging effects of Bhr.P on various physiological systems. Methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated to be very low and none of them were RCTs. Yet the available studies are heterogeneous, dealing in different grounds and this heterogeneity serves as a resource for the limited scope of studies on Bhr.P. Therefore, further large-scale, properly designed, randomized trials of Bhr.P on various systems have to be done to justify these effects efficiently

Effect of vatakarma kapalbhati on sinus headache

Sinusitis is a common inflammatory condition affecting paranasal sinuses encountered by people of all age groups. Vatakarma Kapalbhati is a yogic cleansing technique and pranayama found to be beneficial in sinus headaches. We reported the effect of Vatakarma Kapalbhati on three individual cases with sinus headaches. Three women who had chronic headaches due to paranasal sinusitis were given Vatakarma Kapalbhati as an intervention. Outcome measures such as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to assess the efficacy of the intervention. Significant improvement in PSQI, SNOT-22, HIT-6, and VAS was found postintervention when compared to the baseline. Vatakarma Kapalbhati could be a potential supportive therapy for the management of sinusitis headaches alongside conventional management

Effectiveness of antenatal yoga in reducing intensity of labour pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Yoga during pregnancy was found to be beneficial in various aspects of pregnancy including pain management during the time of labour. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of antenatal yoga practices in reducing pain during the time of labour. Methods: We searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, till January 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which measured the effects of antenatal yoga practices on pain management during labour were included. The main outcome was the pain intensity measured with any validated questionnaire. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated by using a risk-of-bias assessment tool developed by the Cochrane Collaboration. For the effect size, standardized mean differences (SMDs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were generated with a random effect model using R software (version 4.2.2). Results: Eight studies including 576 antenatal women between the age of 14 and 40 years were included. Results of this meta-analysis showed that yoga is effective in reducing labour pain (SMD: −1.34 95% of CI: −1.86, −0.81) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 73%, p < 0.0008). Conclusion: Antenatal yoga can be a promising intervention in the field of obstetrics to reduce the intensity of labour pain. However, we are still in need of RCT with a large sample size to confirm the reliability of the present meta-analysis

E-learning and E-modules in medical education-A SOAR analysis using perception of undergraduate students.

BackgroundApplication of e-learning and e-modules in medical education has been shown to have a positive impact on learning outcomes among all types of learners, across diverse educational settings. Despite its benefits, e-learning and e-modules has not yet reached its full potential in medical education in India. Objective of this study is to evaluate the perception of undergraduate students regarding e-learning and e-modules using an appreciative inquiry tool SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) analysis, and to identify the barriers and challenges for the same.MethodsThis longitudinal study was conducted among participants from three consecutive batches (n = 250 x 3) of first-year medical students and two consecutive batches (n = 100 x 2) of first-year dental students. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling method. Two structured and validated questionnaires were developed for this study based on the modified Zhou's Mixed Methods Model; the 'Knowledge, Attitude and Practice' Questionnaire (KAPQ) on e-learning and the feedback questionnaire (FBQ) on e-modules. The questionnaires were administered via MOODLE / hard copy, before and after the implementation of e-modules, respectively. Identified strengths, potential opportunities, probable aspirations and likely results for e-learning and e-modules were tabulated based on the qualitative analysis of perceptions of large number students sampled across three years.ResultsSix hundred and ninety students returned both questionnaires representing a response rate of 76.6%. Nine themes were identified in the "Strengths" domain as follows: Regular Update of Knowledge, Innovative Learning, Availability, Knowledge Sharing, Abundance of Information, Accessibility, Source of Knowledge, Creativity, and Increased Engagement. Eleven themes were identified in the "Opportunities" domain as follows: Clinical Skills training, Timesaving, Flexibility, Creativity, Increased engagement, Standardized content, Capacity building for students, Capacity building for faculty, Skills training, and Self-assessment. Thirteen themes were identified under the "Aspirations" domain with the three key themes being "maintaining and building on current strengths", "increasing potential opportunities", and "addressing the barriers and challenges identified in the responses to the KAPQ and FBQ questionnaire". Four themes identified for 'Barriers' were eye strain, distractions, preference for conventional methodologies, and internet connectivity.ConclusionsThe findings of this qualitative study are based on the responses received from first-year medical and dental students of a Private University in Chennai, India. In this population of students, implementation of e-learning as blended learning using structured and interactive e-modules may provide more engagement during learning as well as support self-directed learning (SDL) directly or indirectly. Adoption of blended learning with e-modules as an integral part of curriculum planning may be beneficial for the achievement of Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) goals in India