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Teaching the plantar reflex
P G Raijmakers1, M C Cabezas, J A Smal
1University Department of Neurology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Instructional videos significantly improved medical students' ability to interpret plantar responses. Students who watched the video demonstrated better performance and recognized flexion synergy more often.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Accurate interpretation of the plantar response is crucial in neurological examinations.
- Medical students often require targeted training to master complex neurological assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional videotape on plantar response interpretation.
- To assess the impact of video-based learning on neurological clerkship performance.
Main Methods:
- A two-week neurological clerkship involving 65 students.
- Experimental groups viewed an instructional videotape; control groups did not.
- Student assessments of plantar responses were compared to a senior neurologist's judgment.
Main Results:
- Students who viewed the videotape showed a significant improvement in plantar response interpretation (t-test, p = 0.031).
- Video-exposed students were significantly more likely to identify flexion synergy (Fisher exact test, p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Instructional videotapes are an efficient and effective tool for medical education.
- Video-based learning can enhance diagnostic skills in neurology trainees.