Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
Efficacy of mountain craft training at enhancing the resilience and physical and psychological well-being of children from low-income families
The project aims to enhance the holistic health of children from low-income families in Hong Kong by improving their resilience and physical and psychological well-being. A study examining the effect of poverty and income disparity on the psychological well‐being of Hong Kong children revealed that children from low‐income families have substantially lower levels of self‐esteem and quality of life and more depressive symptoms than children from affluent families. Thus, it is imperative to offer adequate community resources and psychosocial support, with a particular focus on enhancing resilience for children from low-income families. The purpose of mountain craft training is not only to allow participants to enjoy the beauty of nature during the hiking journey but also to strengthen their communication skills, enhance their self-confidence, improve their physical fitness and enhance their resilience to stress and adversity through proper training and learning. Once children become interested in hiking and acquire hiking knowledge, essential skills, and safety concepts, they may practice and participate in hiking activities regularly. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will help inform policymakers to assign more resources to children from low-income families to help them improve their physical and psychological well-being.
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Tele-group cognitive behavioural family intervention for people with schizophrenia and their families
Tele-group cognitive behavioural family intervention (tgCBFI) is a six-week online group CBT-based family intervention that incorporates the conceptual model of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) into the family context. The development of this tgCBFI programme is to offer optimal and cost-effective community psychiatric care using a telehealth delivery mode. This is a feasibility randomised controlled trial to examine the feasibility of delivering a tgCBFI programme to dyads of people with schizophrenia and their family caregivers and generate preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of tgCBFI in reducing expressed emotion, which is one of the robust predictors of the relapse of people with schizophrenia. Individual semi-structured interviews will be also used to qualitatively study the benefits of the tgCBFI programme from the service users and their family caregivers to provide a more in-depth understanding and complement the quantitative data.
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Self-administered Acupressure and Mental Health Education for Depression: a RCT study
This is a randomised clinical trial, which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of self-administered acupressure and mental health education on alleviating depressive symptoms. People with mild to moderate level of depression will be recruited to our study. Participants will be randomly allocated to either self-administered acupressure (SAM) group or mental health education (MHE) group. In the SAM group, a Chinese Medicine Practitioner will deliver two 2-hour training sessions on stimulating the selected acupoints with the use of fingers, hands or elbows. In the MHE group, a nurse will deliver two 2-hour sessions on brief introduction about depression and guidance to maintain a positive psychological well-being as well as preventing the worsening of depressive symptoms. Both SAM and MHE groups will be held in a small group (4 - 7 participants) taught by a registered Chinese medicine practitioner or nurse.
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Resilient Students Training Hub (ReST Hub)
The Resilient Students Training Hub (ReST Hub) is a research-driven education and service initiative with the vision of transforming university campuses into mental health and resilience promotive ecosystems. Made possible by generous funding and support from the Seal of Love Charitable Foundation, this initiative adopts a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and proactive approach to promote resilience and mental well-being in university students and aims to create an evidence-based model that can be adapted and implemented across tertiary education settings.
To engage students to elicit their input and insight into all of its activities, the ReST Hub will launch a series of student services, staff training sessions, education campaigns, and community events. Over a 5-year period, the objectives are to (1) provide a safe and accessible environment for students to explore and strengthen their capacity of resilience; (2) create systems and synergies across student-facing and supporting entities to promote student mental health; (3) develop, implement, and evaluate campus-wide resilience and mental health promotion activities; and (4) generate a roadmap and model for creating ReST Hubs across tertiary education settings in Hong Kong.
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To engage students to elicit their input and insight into all of its activities, the ReST Hub will launch a series of student services, staff training sessions, education campaigns, and community events. Over a 5-year period, the objectives are to (1) provide a safe and accessible environment for students to explore and strengthen their capacity of resilience; (2) create systems and synergies across student-facing and supporting entities to promote student mental health; (3) develop, implement, and evaluate campus-wide resilience and mental health promotion activities; and (4) generate a roadmap and model for creating ReST Hubs across tertiary education settings in Hong Kong.
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Electroacupuncture to alleviate cognitive impairment in depression
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common mental illness with a high rate of recurrence and chronicity. Cognitive impairment is one of the core features of MDD. Acupuncture can improve cognition in patients with dementia and stroke; however, its effectiveness in improving cognition in MDD remains unclear. This project aims to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on depression-associated cognitive impairment. The hypothesis is that EA attenuates corticosterone-induced cognitive impairment, tau pathology, neuroinflammation, and neurogenesis. We will use a well-established depression model with a Sprague Dawley rat to study the effects of a 4-week EA protocol. Behavioural tests (coat state, splash test, open-field test, novel object recognition test, Morris water maze, burrowing test, nest building) will highlight changes in depression- and anxiety-like symptoms, cognitive function, and motivation. Tau phosphorylation and mislocalisation, the activation of glial cells and the release of inflammatory cytokines, and neurogenesis in the frontal cortex and hippocampus will provide insights into the mechanism underlying the observed EA effects. This study will illuminate the effects of EA on tau modulation, synaptic degeneration, and cognitive impairment in a rat depression model. Our results could reshape future clinical practice by promoting the use of Chinese medicine to treat depression and the associated cognitive impairment.
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Jockey Club Men’s Space : Development of clinical protocol and related training, and Project Evaluation
The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong (MHAHK) has secured funding from the Jockey Club Charity Trust to implement a mental health project for men with mental health issues in Hong Kong (JC project) using a stepped-care model. PolyU has been engaged by the MHAHK to fulfil the following objectives in its capacity as an independent academic institution:
1. To assess the impact and effectiveness of the JC project for men with different mental health issues and their peer supporters, helping professionals, and others.
2. To measure the level of satisfaction and examine the experiences of the participants.
3. To develop a workable and sustainable group-based clinical protocol of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the target population, to be effectively delivered by MHAHK staff after training.
Work on the project started on 1 February 2023 and will last for 33 months through to October 2025. Our team has designed a group-based ACT programme to be delivered by the MHAHK for men experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress. We will provide ongoing ACT-related professional training for MHAHK staff. Quantitative and qualitative data will be used to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the JC project. Our team has developed quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the project services provided by the MHAHK and will oversee the processes of data collection and analyses as well as the preparation of the evaluation report. Read MoreHide
1. To assess the impact and effectiveness of the JC project for men with different mental health issues and their peer supporters, helping professionals, and others.
2. To measure the level of satisfaction and examine the experiences of the participants.
3. To develop a workable and sustainable group-based clinical protocol of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the target population, to be effectively delivered by MHAHK staff after training.
Work on the project started on 1 February 2023 and will last for 33 months through to October 2025. Our team has designed a group-based ACT programme to be delivered by the MHAHK for men experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress. We will provide ongoing ACT-related professional training for MHAHK staff. Quantitative and qualitative data will be used to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the JC project. Our team has developed quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the project services provided by the MHAHK and will oversee the processes of data collection and analyses as well as the preparation of the evaluation report. Read MoreHide
Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS®)
NEUROLITH® is the first and so far the only new treatment system to obtain CE certification for the treatment of the central nervous system in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
The technology behind NEUROLITH® is called Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS®). TPS® consists of short sound pulses in the ultrasonic frequency range.
TPS® can stimulate deep brain areas and activate multiple mechanisms and divisions of cells, thereby promoting the growth of cerebral blood vessels and brain neurons.
– Mechanotransduction
– Increase cell permeability
– Stimulate mechanosensitive ion channels
– Release nitric oxide (NO), which leads to vasodilation,
– Increase metabolic activity and angiogenesis and have anti-inflammatory effects
– Stimulate Vascular Growth Factor (VEGF)
– Stimulates BDNF Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
– Stem Cell Migration and Differentiation
What are the advantages of TPS® Transcranial Pulse Stimulation?
• Painless treatment
• non-invasive treatment
• No need to shave your head
• Patient can move during treatment
• Importing personal magnetic resonance T1 images for intracranial pulse stimulation therapy
• 3D infrared camera brain tracking system provides precise treatment
• Obtained EU certification [CE] in 2018
Local clinical research evidence of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation
In 2022, Dr Teris CHEUNG has published an international academic article stating that TPS can effectively improve depression (depressive symptoms between 18 and 51 years old) (Cheung et al., 2022). Dr Teris CHEUNG’s co-researcher, Dr Calvin CHENG, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, HKU, has also proven that TPS can effectively improve the memory and self-care abilities of patients with mild cognitive impairment (NCD) (Fong et al., 2023). In the same year, Dr Teris CHEUNG has further analysed research subjects’ resting-state MRI data to evaluate the long-term effects of TPS compared. It was found that participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had significant improvements in concentration and memory, and improved emotional management and interpersonal relationships (Cheung et al., 2024). Dr Teris CHEUNG has also extended her research in investigating the efficacy of TPS on other neurodevelopmental disorder (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorder), aged between 12 and 17 years old in a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Results showed that participants have shown significant improvement in social communication skills, reduced stubborn behaviours and improved emotional wellbeing.
References
Cheung, T., Li, T. M. H., Ho, Y. S., Kranz, G., Fong, K. N., Leung, S. F., ... & Cheng, C. P. W. (2023). Effects of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) on Adults with Symptoms of Depression—A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2333.
Cheung, T., Li, T. M. H., Lam, J. Y. T., Fong, K. H., Chiu, L. Y., Ho, Y. S., ... & Beisteiner, R. (2023). Effects of transcranial pulse stimulation on autism spectrum disorder: a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Brain Communications, 5(5), fcad226.
Cheung, T., Yee K. Benjamin, Chau, B., Lam, J., Fong K. H., Lo, H., Li, T. M. H., Li, A. M., Lei, S., Beisteiner, R., & Cheng C. P. W. (2024). Initial efficacy and safety of transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) in young adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A pilot, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Submitted for Publication.
Fong, T. K. H., Cheung, T., Ngan, S. T. J., Tong, K., Lui, W. Y. V., Chan, W. C., ... & Cheng, C. P. W. (2023). Transcranial pulse stimulation in the treatment of mild neurocognitive disorders. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 10(10), 1885-1890.
Osou, S., Radjenovic, S., Bender, L., Gaal, M., Zettl, A., Dörl, G., ... & Beisteiner, R. (2023). Novel ultrasound neuromodulation therapy with transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) in Parkinson’s disease: a first retrospective analysis. Journal of Neurology, 1-7. Read MoreHide
The technology behind NEUROLITH® is called Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS®). TPS® consists of short sound pulses in the ultrasonic frequency range.
TPS® can stimulate deep brain areas and activate multiple mechanisms and divisions of cells, thereby promoting the growth of cerebral blood vessels and brain neurons.
– Mechanotransduction
– Increase cell permeability
– Stimulate mechanosensitive ion channels
– Release nitric oxide (NO), which leads to vasodilation,
– Increase metabolic activity and angiogenesis and have anti-inflammatory effects
– Stimulate Vascular Growth Factor (VEGF)
– Stimulates BDNF Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
– Stem Cell Migration and Differentiation
What are the advantages of TPS® Transcranial Pulse Stimulation?
• Painless treatment
• non-invasive treatment
• No need to shave your head
• Patient can move during treatment
• Importing personal magnetic resonance T1 images for intracranial pulse stimulation therapy
• 3D infrared camera brain tracking system provides precise treatment
• Obtained EU certification [CE] in 2018
Local clinical research evidence of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation
In 2022, Dr Teris CHEUNG has published an international academic article stating that TPS can effectively improve depression (depressive symptoms between 18 and 51 years old) (Cheung et al., 2022). Dr Teris CHEUNG’s co-researcher, Dr Calvin CHENG, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, HKU, has also proven that TPS can effectively improve the memory and self-care abilities of patients with mild cognitive impairment (NCD) (Fong et al., 2023). In the same year, Dr Teris CHEUNG has further analysed research subjects’ resting-state MRI data to evaluate the long-term effects of TPS compared. It was found that participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had significant improvements in concentration and memory, and improved emotional management and interpersonal relationships (Cheung et al., 2024). Dr Teris CHEUNG has also extended her research in investigating the efficacy of TPS on other neurodevelopmental disorder (i.e., Autism Spectrum Disorder), aged between 12 and 17 years old in a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Results showed that participants have shown significant improvement in social communication skills, reduced stubborn behaviours and improved emotional wellbeing.
References
Cheung, T., Li, T. M. H., Ho, Y. S., Kranz, G., Fong, K. N., Leung, S. F., ... & Cheng, C. P. W. (2023). Effects of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) on Adults with Symptoms of Depression—A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2333.
Cheung, T., Li, T. M. H., Lam, J. Y. T., Fong, K. H., Chiu, L. Y., Ho, Y. S., ... & Beisteiner, R. (2023). Effects of transcranial pulse stimulation on autism spectrum disorder: a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Brain Communications, 5(5), fcad226.
Cheung, T., Yee K. Benjamin, Chau, B., Lam, J., Fong K. H., Lo, H., Li, T. M. H., Li, A. M., Lei, S., Beisteiner, R., & Cheng C. P. W. (2024). Initial efficacy and safety of transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) in young adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A pilot, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Submitted for Publication.
Fong, T. K. H., Cheung, T., Ngan, S. T. J., Tong, K., Lui, W. Y. V., Chan, W. C., ... & Cheng, C. P. W. (2023). Transcranial pulse stimulation in the treatment of mild neurocognitive disorders. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, 10(10), 1885-1890.
Osou, S., Radjenovic, S., Bender, L., Gaal, M., Zettl, A., Dörl, G., ... & Beisteiner, R. (2023). Novel ultrasound neuromodulation therapy with transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) in Parkinson’s disease: a first retrospective analysis. Journal of Neurology, 1-7. Read MoreHide
Digital preventive healthcare for people with physical disabilities
This project builds upon several years of research conducted by Dr Yan LI (Assistant Professor [Presidential Young Scholar]) on delivering psychosocial care and community healthcare programmes for individuals with spinal cord injuries and on the development and evaluation of AI-based conversational agents in health-related interventions. It proposes a research programme that leverages digital health solutions to innovate preventive healthcare for individuals with physical disabilities in Hong Kong. The proposed research topics include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) utilising telehealth interventions to enhance cognitive functioning and mental health among community-dwelling spinal cord injury survivors, with the aim of preventing cognitive impairment and/or depression; (2) using ecological momentary intervention approaches to address the psychosocial needs of individuals suffering from ankylosing spondylitis; and (3) implementing conversational agents to train teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in effective coping strategies, with the goal of preventing depression and disengagement from physical treatment. The research studies within this programme will involve a comprehensive literature review, the development of interventions, and pilot testing of the developed interventions. In summary, this research programme aims to address the healthcare disparities faced by individuals with certain physical disabilities through the development and implementation of a digital preventive healthcare programme. By leveraging digital technologies and user-centred approaches, the programme seeks to empower individuals with disabilities to manage their health, enhance their overall well-being, and reduce the risk of preventable health conditions. The funding for this project will be utilised to train research students, develop interventions, and implement studies .
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