This study aimed to investigate the psychophysiological outcomes of different psychosocial interventions for breast cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 intervention groups, namely, Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS),... more
This study aimed to investigate the psychophysiological outcomes of different psychosocial interventions for breast cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 intervention groups, namely, Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS), Supportive-Expressive (SE), and Social Support Self-Help (SS) groups; a no-intervention group was used as control. Salivary cortisol was used as the physiological stress marker. Distress level, mental adjustment, emotional control, and social support were measured. Data were collected at baseline, 4 month, and 8 month. Preliminary results indicated that BMS intervention produced the greatest and the most sustained effects. It enhanced positive social support, reduced psychological distress, emotional control, and negative mental adjustment. Total salivary cortisol was lowered after 8 months. Most participants in SE groups indicated the treatment helpful, but changes in psychophysiological outcomes were not statistically significant. Participants in SS groups seemed less likely to benefit from the intervention. The no intervention control group indicated a reduction in social support. These outcomes suggest that active professional intervention is more likely to yield therapeutic effects. In particular, psychosocial intervention attending to the spiritual dimension contributes to positive outcomes.
Research Interests: Clinical Psychology, Breast Cancer, Hong Kong, Medicine, Distress, and 15 moreHumans, Female, Feasibility Studies, Group Intervention, Cancer Care Facilities, Middle Aged, Psychological distress, Adult, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, Patient Participation, Pilot Projects, Control Group, cultural characteristics, Breast Neoplasms, and hydrocortisone
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Dance movement psychotherapy can be physically and psychologically beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic required therapy to take place online. However, tele-dance movement... more
Dance movement psychotherapy can be physically and psychologically beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic required therapy to take place online. However, tele-dance movement psychotherapy with children with autism spectrum disorder has yet to be studied. This mixed methods study involving qualitative research and movement analyses entailed providing tele-dance movement psychotherapy to children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and exploring its potential benefits and challenges. The parents who completed the programme reported positive outcomes including the child's social development, enjoyment, improved understanding of their child, insight and ideas, as well as relationship-building. Movement analyses using the Parent Child Movement Scale (PCMS) lent greater insight into these developments. All of the parents reported challenges in participating in tele-dance movement psychotherapy. These were related to screen-to-screen interactions, home, and physical distance. There was a relatively high attrition rate. These findings highlight the challenges of tele-dance movement psychotherapy with children with autism spectrum disorder and the unique benefits of meeting in person whilst the positive outcomes may indicate that tele-dance movement psychotherapy can be beneficial, perhaps particularly as an interim or adjunct form of therapy. Specific measures can be taken to enhance engagement.
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Presence of growth after traumatic events was introduced to the academic community about a decade ago (Tedeschi... more
Presence of growth after traumatic events was introduced to the academic community about a decade ago (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1995). From the conventionally neglected perspective of Chinese widowers, this paper reports seventeen Chinese widowers' views on growth after conjugal loss. Findings seem to suggest that Chinese widowers would define growth as human learning, a definition probably influenced by Confucian teachings. Furthermore, contrary to claims made by Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004), it was found that growth may occur for some individuals without the presence of distress if the individuals have either a stable philosophy of life and death or optimism to buffer their distress or a sense of responsibility to suppress their distress.
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Diabetic mastopathy is an uncommon condition found in patients with long-standing diabetic mellitus (DM). Although benign in nature, it can sometimes not be distinguishable from breast carcinoma, and may lead to unnecessary anxiety or... more
Diabetic mastopathy is an uncommon condition found in patients with long-standing diabetic mellitus (DM). Although benign in nature, it can sometimes not be distinguishable from breast carcinoma, and may lead to unnecessary anxiety or intervention. Clinicopathologic features of 10 patients were reviewed in detail. Only three of the 10 patients had type I DM. All patients had over a 10-year history of DM, and presented with unilateral, solitary, palpable breast mass, ranging in size from 1.5 to 5 cm. Radiologic and pathologic features of each patient were described. None of the patients in our series developed malignancy during the follow-up period. Diabetic mastopathy is a benign condition and not unique to type I DM. Surgeons should be aware of this distinct fibroinflammatory breast condition and its association with long-standing DM.
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Research Interests: Clinical Psychology, Depression, Cancer, Medicine, Anxiety, and 15 moreEmotions, Humans, Female, Male, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Depressive Disorder, Aged, Middle Aged, Convergent Validity, Adult, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, ANXIETY, Colorectal Neoplasms, Breast Neoplasms, and Medical and Health Sciences
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Background/aims: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multipotent factor involved in tissue regeneration, tumor invasion and a lot of cellular repair processes. Recent studies revealed that interleukin 6 (IL-6) level was elevated in... more
Background/aims: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multipotent factor involved in tissue regeneration, tumor invasion and a lot of cellular repair processes. Recent studies revealed that interleukin 6 (IL-6) level was elevated in damaged human liver and kidney tissues. Since IL-6 is the major cytokine involved in cellular response to tissue injuries, its relationship with HGF in damaged human liver and kidney is suspected. Methodology: We examined the RNA transcripts of HGF and IL-6 in 16 hepatic and 5 renal tumor tissues using in situ hybridization techniques. Results: Either HGF or IL-6 RNA transcripts was prominently detected in 86% of the samples (14 liver and 4 kidney). Intense signals were found in malignant cells. In liver tissues, intense signals were detected at the rim of regeneration, while in kidney tissues, signals were found in tubular and glomerular epithelium. Both HGF and IL-6 RNA transcripts were simultaneously detected in 11 hepatic (69%) and 4 renal (80%) samples. Conclusions: The coexistence of the HGF and IL-6 transcripts suggests a close relationship of two cellular factors possibly with a complex genetic regulation.
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Background/aims: Patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are at increased risk of gastric cancer development. We tested the feasibility of using endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of dysplasia and... more
Background/aims: Patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are at increased risk of gastric cancer development. We tested the feasibility of using endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of dysplasia and metaplasia in the stomach. Methodology: Patients who had histologically confirmed low-grade gastric dysplasia or IM were recruited. Endoscopic RFA was performed at 8 week-intervals for a maximum of 3 sessions. All patients were followed up by endoscopy until 12 months post-RFA. The primary outcome was the complete eradication of dysplasia or IM on follow-up. Secondary outcome was adverse events related to RFA. Results: A total of 12 patients were recruited. Four patients had low-grade dysplasia and the remaining 8 patients had non-dysplastic IM at baseline. At one year after RFA, complete eradication of dysplasia was noted in four patients with low-grade dysplasia (100%). Gastric IM persisted in all patients with baseline metaplasia but the severity of IM improved in 6 (75%) patients. Endoscopic RFA was safe with minimal complications encountered. Conclusions: RFA successfully eradicated low-grade dysplasia of the stomach. Gastric IM however persisted after RFA but most patients had evidence of histological improvement on follow up.
Research Interests: Gastroenterology, Medicine, Prospective studies, Humans, Female, and 15 morePubmed, Feasibility Studies, Male, Risk factors, Radiofrequency Ablation, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, Dysplasia, Risk Factors, Catheter ablation, Pilot Projects, Gastroscopy, Postoperative Complications, and Metaplasia
In response to demographic changes in recent years, an increasing number of parks have established exercise spaces for older adults. However, limited research has been conducted to investigate how older adults utilize, experience, and... more
In response to demographic changes in recent years, an increasing number of parks have established exercise spaces for older adults. However, limited research has been conducted to investigate how older adults utilize, experience, and perceive these spaces. This study aims to explore their experiences of using these spaces and their perspectives on these spaces by using a qualitative descriptive research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 users in three Hong Kong parks with low, medium, and high area-based socioeconomic statuses. The findings highlight that exercise spaces in parks can cultivate a positive environment allowing older adults with varying physical abilities and health statuses to remain active together as well as to support each other socially and emotionally in a natural outdoor setting. The participants’ perspectives on the exercise space discussed in this study suggest that future plans for constructing such spaces in parks might benefit from a co-design approach.
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Ameliorating the communication and interactions between parents and children is crucial in helping children develop appropriate strategies in emotional regulation and adjustment. However, it is very challenging working with children with... more
Ameliorating the communication and interactions between parents and children is crucial in helping children develop appropriate strategies in emotional regulation and adjustment. However, it is very challenging working with children with special needs. Due to the component of playfulness and the use of nonverbal communication channels, Expressive Arts Therapy, that uses different arts modalities, can be an alternative approach. This chapter describes a case of using Expressive Arts Therapy to help a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to express his emotions and develop a better relationship with his mother. Through the joint painting process, the boy developed appropriate strategies to relate to and work with his mother, and his mother also realised her interacting pattern and made changes. The joint painting approach enables bi-directional communication between the mother and the son, and appears to be both the therapeutic agent as well as the arts-based evaluation medium.
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Research Interests: Biology, Medicine, Gene expression, Extracellular Matrix, Humans, and 15 moreInternal Medicine, Kidney, Female, Male, Clinical Sciences, Middle Aged, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Adult, Base Sequence, IgA nephropathy, Glomerulosclerosis, Glomerulonephritis, Experimental Model, Molecular Sequence Data, and Immunoglobulin A
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In recent years, mind–body exercises have arisen as a popular type of physical exercise among older adults in both Eastern and Western countries. In the last 10 years, yoga has been established as a key physical activity intervention for... more
In recent years, mind–body exercises have arisen as a popular type of physical exercise among older adults in both Eastern and Western countries. In the last 10 years, yoga has been established as a key physical activity intervention for older adults. Thus, the literature on yoga interventions delivered in community settings for older adults warrants a formal appraisal. This scoping review synthesized information on intervention contents and outcomes and summarized data on attrition, adherence, and adverse events for community health practitioners. In addition, this review used the Template for Intervention Description and Replication and the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome checklist to identify areas of depth and gaps in the literature on yoga interventions.
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Theme: Technology: the Excitement and the EvidenceAbstract no. B087
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Immunoreactivity to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was detected in glomerular cells from patients with chronic glomerulonephritis, yet it remains uncertain whether the glomerular TGF-beta deposits reflect TGF-beta produced by... more
Immunoreactivity to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) was detected in glomerular cells from patients with chronic glomerulonephritis, yet it remains uncertain whether the glomerular TGF-beta deposits reflect TGF-beta produced by the glomerular cells alone or from additional extrarenal origin. We examined the TGF-beta messanger RNA (mRNA) expression in circulating CD4+ T cells from 45 patients with different primary glomerulonephritides. By semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction, the TGF-beta mRNA expression was significantly raised in histopathologic entities characterized by increased mesangial proliferation or segmental sclerosis but not in histopathologic entities with little mesangial proliferation or sclerosis. These findings suggest that, other than TGF-beta produced de novo, TGF-beta from systemic source can also contribute to mesangial proliferation by binding to the glomerular cells after being filtered by the glomeruli. Increased TGF-beta gene expression in CD4+ T cells in these patients may potentially enhance glomerular injury.
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... David Yau Fai Ho, Rainbow Tin Hung Ho and Siu Man Ng University of Hong Kong ... To illustrate, we select this sentence from Kincheloe and McLaren's chapter: 'Truth is internally related to meaning in a pragmatic way through... more
... David Yau Fai Ho, Rainbow Tin Hung Ho and Siu Man Ng University of Hong Kong ... To illustrate, we select this sentence from Kincheloe and McLaren's chapter: 'Truth is internally related to meaning in a pragmatic way through normative referenced claims, intersubjective ...
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Though bullying was predominantly documented in Western societies, increasing attention has been paid to bullying in Chinese communities during recent years. It remains unknown whether bullying among youngsters in the Chinese communities... more
Though bullying was predominantly documented in Western societies, increasing attention has been paid to bullying in Chinese communities during recent years. It remains unknown whether bullying among youngsters in the Chinese communities is similar to or different from their counterparts in Western societies. A systematic review was primarily conducted in English and Chinese databases from the start to December 31, 2021. This study estimated the prevalence of overall (integrating both face-to-face and cyber forms), face-to-face, and cyber bullying victimization and perpetration using random-effects models. Based on 68 eligible studies, this study revealed a pooled prevalence of overall bullying victimization of 22.7% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] [17.7, 28.6]) and a pooled prevalence of overall bullying perpetration of 15.7% (95% CI [6.7, 32.3]). Besides, the estimated prevalence were 20.8% and 10.3% for face-to-face bullying victimization and perpetration, while 9.6% and 8.4% for cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. The subgroup analyses showed that the high heterogeneity of prevalence among the studies estimating bullying victimization and perpetration could be accounted for by sample characteristics and the measurement approaches. This study suggests that bullying is prevalent in the Chinese communities, comparable to, if not higher than, in the Western societies. Prevention and intervention programs are urgently required to reduce bullying among the school-aged population in Chinese communities.
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Research Interests: Research Design, Mental Health, Mindfulness, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Quality of life, and 15 moreAdolescent, Medicine, Physical Therapy, Meditation, Humans, Female, Male, Exercise, Psychosocial, Adult, Randomized Controlled Trial, Qigong, Clinical Protocols, Psychological Stress, and Colorectal Neoplasms
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Research Interests: Depression, Bayesian, Gender, Hong Kong, Medicine, and 15 moreAnxiety, Humans, Maximum Likelihood, Hospitalization, Female, Confirmatory factor analysis, Measurement Invariance, Male, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Adult, Chi Square Distribution, ANXIETY, Bayes Theorem, Bayesian Probability, and Likelihood Functions
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To investigate the dimensions and determinants of posttraumatic growth among Chinese cancer survivors, 188 participants were asked to complete a Chinese posttraumatic growth inventory, translated from the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory... more
To investigate the dimensions and determinants of posttraumatic growth among Chinese cancer survivors, 188 participants were asked to complete a Chinese posttraumatic growth inventory, translated from the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI; J Trauma Stress 1996; 9: 455-471), together with the Chinese versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale, and the General Health Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a different factor structure than the original English-language version of the PTGI. The dimensions of growth could also be broadly dichotomized into an Interpersonal and an Intrapersonal dimension in our Chinese sample. Multiple regression analysis showed that positive coping was the most important determinant of posttraumatic growth when compared with negative coping and psychological symptoms. A Chinese Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was developed to facilitate future research.