Yoga is increasingly used as an adjunctive therapy in the management of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The present study aims to systematically evaluate the literature and perform a meta-analysis on the effects of yoga practice compared to physical exercise in the management of T2DM. Data were obtained using a stepwise search process using keywords in the following online medical databases; PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. All controlled clinical trials involving patients with T2DM, comparing yoga as an intervention with physical exercise and evaluating glycaemic control and other outcomes between the intervention and control groups were included in the analysis. Eight studies were eligible to be included in the systematic review. In total, 842 participants were assigned to a Yoga intervention or a control group with an Exercise intervention and the age range of participants was 30-78 years. A significant reduction in FBG (15.16 mg/dl), PPBG (28.66 mg/dl), HbA1c (0.39%) and BMI (0.71 kg/m2) was noted in the intervention group ('Yoga') compared to the control group ('Physical Exercise') in the pooled analysis. We did not observe any significant difference between the two groups for lipid parameters, other body composition measures (WC and WHR) and Blood Pressure. In conclusion, our results show that Yoga has beneficial effects on glycaemic control in comparison to physical exercise in T2DM However, individual studies showed considerable heterogeneity. Hence, further well-controlled randomized trials are required prior to drawing conclusions about the benefits of yoga in comparison to physical exercise.

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Background: Preclinical teaching of basic sciences provides the basis for the development of clinical reasoning skills and the ability to make management decisions. However, many senior undergraduates, pre-interns and doctors indicate that basic sciences knowledge is poorly recalled and has little relevance to their clinical practice. Objectives: To explore the perceptions of medical students in their clinical years, and pre-interns about the basic sciences courses taught to them in the preclinical years, and to assess how each group rates the applicability of these courses to current clinical training. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 pre-interns and 146 undergraduate medical students using a self-administered questionnaire, regarding their perceptions on preclinical basic sciences teaching. For statistical analysis chi square test was applied. Results: More than 75% both pre-interns and undergraduates agreed that preclinical teaching was useful and relevant for future clinical work. 50-75% frequently revisited preclinical subjects despite unapparent clinical significance. 55% couldn’t remember most of preclinical content. Physiology was the most retained (76%) and most clinically relevant subject (80%). Majority of (>60%) both the groups suggested more teaching time and >75% suggested concurrent clinical exposure for preclinical teaching. Undergraduates and preinterns differed in that 56% of undergraduates and 37% of pre-interns had studied pre clinical subjects just to pass examinations (p<0.01) Conclusions: Majority of undergraduates and pre-interns felt that preclinical teaching is interesting and relevant for future clinical practice, though recall and clinical significance were suboptimal. Revising teaching methods with interdisciplinary integration, early clinical exposure showing relevance of basic sciences and allocating more teaching time utilizing clinicians should be considered. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v9i2.22806 Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2014, December; 9(2): 98-104

Multiple co-morbidities are a common health related issue among the elderly population. The prevalence of heart disease has increased among the older population 2 . The probability of having chronic comorbid diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes and hypertension too has increased in the older population over the past few decades 3 . Comorbidities and physiological changes have compromised the ability of the elderly population to Abstract Objectives: Population ageing is a world phenomenon affecting many sectors including health. High prevalence of multiple co-morbidities, increased healthcare expenditure, psychological disease and social consequences are some major health problems of ageing. Study of physiology and health status among elders is an important component in geriatric care. This is a study protocol to describe overall health status and functional capacity among the elders in residential care facilities in Colombo district.Methods: Eligible elders aged over 65 years, in all residential care facilities in Colombo district, registered under the National Secretariat for elders will be included in this cross-sectional study. Data on basic demography and medical co-morbidities will be collected. Nutritional status will be assessed by 24-hour dietary recall, mini nutritional assessment and anthropometric measurements. Five fried model indicators, Montreal cognitive assessment and geriatric depression scale will be used to assess frailty, depression and cognition respectively. Timed up and go test and five times sit to stand test will be performed to assess the risk of falls and the FRAX index for osteoporotic risk assessment. Spirometry will be used to assess respiratory function. Descriptive and correlation analysis of data will be performed.Discussion: This is a comprehensive health assessment of the elderly population living in residential care facilities for elders in Colombo. The study will contribute to establish better geriatric care in Sri Lanka and will serve as a model to design an island wide study on elderly. Journal of the Ceylon College of PhysiciansAmarasiri W A D L, et al

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) or hot flushes are the commonest and the most troublesome symptoms during the menopausal transition. Though usually transient, VMS is the leading menopausal symptom presenting for medical attention. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for VMS, but many women are reluctant to use HRT and wish to pursue alternative therapy.Physical exercise of different types has been used as a mean of alleviating VMS. The potential for physical exercise to improve VMS can be explained by its effects on the postulated pathophysiologcal mechanisms of VMS. However, individual studies on the influence of physical exercise on VMS show conflicting results, with positive, negative or no effects being reported, and the review of evidence is inconclusive. The many differences in the study designs may be a reason for the varying outcomes of the studies.Physical exercise, however, have multiple benefits in postmenopausal women, in reducing cardiovascular risk factors, improving bone density and preventing osteoporosis, enhan cing muscle mass and has a positive effect on overall health. Regular physical activity should, therefore, be promoted in all postmenopausal women, though they may not derive a significant improvement of VMS.