If the trial is repeated, indicate this and specify the reason it had to be repeated.
Record only the times for the 2 successfully completed trials for each hand on the 9 hole peg test. If the patient could not complete one or both trials for either hand of the 9 hole peg test, record this in the appropriate section of the record form.
Results table on students
Conclusions
All students were quicker with their writing hand than their non-writing hand, with two exceptions; Katie and Faye (Who were slightly quicker with the non-writing hand).
- The girls mean was much faster for both writing and non-writing hands.
- Most people improved over three trails, but not all.
Limitations
- We only tested 1 left handed person, but we should have tested equal numbers. The control we could have had was ambidextrous.
- We only tested 4 girls and 10 boys, but these should have been equal.
- Incorrect timing, so some students had four trails, which made the test unfair.
- If you are nervous, your hands would be hot and sticky, which has an effect of sympathetic nervous system.
- Morning/afternoon, students did the test at different times; boys did this in the morning (two still asleep) and the girls did this in the afternoon, suggesting they were more awake.
Paced auditory serial addition test
The paced auditory serial addition test is to measure cognitive function that specially that specially assesses auditory information processing speed and flexibility, as well as calculation ability. It was developed to monitor the recovery of patients who had sustained mild head injuries. The patients were told to add up each new digit to the one immediately prior to it.
The patients in the real test gave verbal responses, but the test that was done with the students, the answers were written down.
Materials needed
An audiocassette tape or CD player, Clip board and record form to administer the test.
Completing the form
Circle all the correct answers. Write in any incorrect responses in the space provided. Record any circumstances that you believe may have affected the patient’s performance.
Conclusion
- It was a 3 second interval which meant that most students got the responses correct.
- 2 second interval which was much more challenging, so most students gave up.
NB: used for patients: abandon if you don’t get 2 correct answers in 3 seconds.
Limitations
- Noises inside and outside the testing room could have slowed people down
- The patient is frustrated and distressed
- Patients talked during the test other than giving a response to the question
- The test could have been interrupted for example some could have walked into the room, which makes it more difficult for the patient to concentrate
- The examiner could have made an error when the number is read out or it could have been read out incorrectly.
Types of muscle fibre
There are 3 types of muscle fibres and anyone individual will have a different mix of genetically determined. Although each muscle contains a mixture of all three fibre types, different muscle have them in different proportions, depending on the type of contraction that they most often perform that is the reason why some people are able to run so much faster than others, while others run slower but can keep going for hours.
- Type 1 slow oxidative fibres
These are also known as slow twitch fibres because they contract more slowly than the type 2 (fast twitch fibres) The motor myelin sheath of the motor neurone stimulating the muscle fibre is not as thick as that of the fast twitch unit, and this reduces the amount of neurotransmitter slowing down the nerve impulse. Slow twitch fibres do not produce as much force as fast twitch fibres but can cope with prolonged bouts of contraction. They have more mitochondria and more blood capillaries than fast twitch fibres. They respire mainly by aerobic respiration and so produce little lactic acid, so they do not tire so easily. Postural muscles contain large proportions of slow fibres, and hold the skeleton up right for long periods without tiring.
- Type 2a fast oxidative glycolytic fibres
The motor neurones stimulating these fibres have a thicker myelin sheath than the slow twitch fibre, so it can contract more rapidly and exert more force. This fibre can respire both aerobic and anaerobic but it is much more suited to anaerobic respiration, which means it can release energy very quickly however, the rapid build up of lactic acid, a by product of anaerobic respiration, makes the muscle tire much more quickly than slow twitch fibres. These fibres are found in the muscles that move the fingers and eyes in darting movement.
- Type 2b fast glycolytic fibres
These fibres are very quick to contract and can exert a large amount of force. They rely heavily on anaerobic respiration for releasing energy and have very few mitochondria. This means that energy is quickly released but the fibres tire very quickly. The motor neurones supplying this type of fibre are large and this increases the speed of transmission. These fibres are found in muscles which provide postural support but are occasionally required to generate rapid, powerful movements, like the gastrochemius muscle which helps to support the leg but is also required in walking, running and jumping.
Type 2a (fast twitch fibre) is most likely to be affected by multiple sclerosis, this is because it contains thick myelin sheath which causes the fast, quick impulses but in MS the myelin sheath gets damaged by the white blood cells, so the impulses are not received by the muscles.
The pastoral muscles will be the last to be affected as they have a thin myelin sheath, so don’t rely on it much.
The table below shows the evaluation of the strength
Conclusion
All males have greater strength in their muscles, so they had more type 2 a fast oxidative fibre.
Rough plan for case study 2
To make it affair test I am going to have 10 males and 10 females which will be in a similar age group, e.g. between 30-40
They should have had the disease at least 3 yrs to take part in this experiment.
The cannabis and the placebo will be used as a spray this is because it is easier to measure how much is being taken. The patients will be only allowed to take 10 sprays in a week. The patients must not know if they are getting the placebo or the cannabis, or else the test will not be reliable. 5 males out of the 10 will get the placebo and 5 females out of the 10 will get the drug, this is also to make sure the test is fair. I will decide how effective the cannabis is by using a variety of tests such as; 25-foot walk, the 9 hole peg test or the cognitive test which will give me a score of how the person has done and later will tell me if the patient has improved. Then I will give them the drug to see if this has any effect on them by making them do the test again. I will compare the results of when they were not on the cannabis and then when they were on the cannabis.
When comparing my results I will look at the results before and after the trial and look at the statistical test to prove that the results are not merely by chance.
I will also be looking out to see if there is a significant difference between each persons score.