News

RS PhD Student Winnie Chan Receives SOSORT Best Paper Award 2025

Ms Wai-ying Chan (Winnie), a PhD student of Prof Arnold Wong and a physiotherapist, has won the Best Paper Award 2025 from the International Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), a non-profit organisation dedicated to sharing options for the non-operative management of structural spine changes. Titled “Oxygen Dynamics in Paraspinal Muscles During Isometric Loading in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS)”, Ms Chan’s award-winning study revealed that adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) demonstrate significant oxygen recovery asymmetry at T9, with prolonged recovery predominantly on the concave side. This metabolic imbalance correlated with spinal curve severity, particularly in single-curve cases. These findings suggest a potential metabolic association with scoliosis, offering new perspectives for clinical evaluation. Recognised with the SOSORT Best Paper Award, this research provides important insights into muscle dysfunction in spinal deformity. Please join us in congratulating Ms Chan on this achievement.        

Recent Achievement at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in Singapore

A team of Year 4 OT students - Fung Wing Sze, Stephy (Leader), Yeung Kai Ming, Chan Ka Lok, Ho Tat Hong, Lee Ka Ho, and Wong Hei Ying—has won three prestigious awards at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards in Singapore on 9 April. The awards are as follows: Category 8 – Technology D: Innovation of the Year – Technology – Social Engagement Champion Award Category 6 – Product: Innovation of the Year – Product (Cognitive Training & Rehabilitation) Finalist Award Category 7 – Operational Efficiency & ICT: Innovation of the Year – Operational Management Technology & Productivity Finalist Award Their service learning project, 'Silveration' '老治號', is a mobile therapeutic cart designed to connect community elderly and residential care home users, addressing local geriatric service gaps with the motto "Driving to connect, thriving to care." The students created 18 evidence-based therapeutic activities that engage elderly participants in immersive, multisensory cognitive stimulation sessions, reflecting Hong Kong culture and its 18 districts. The home-to-home services also train elderly peer instructors, fostering a supportive active aging environment in care homes and the community. Our OT RS students demonstrated their dedication to excellence. Please join me in congratulating them on their outstanding achievement.      

RS Student Kelvin Hui Awarded Most Outstanding PolyU Student Title

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is delighted to share the wonderful news that our Year 4 BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy student, HUI Tsz Kwai (Kelvin), has been honoured with two prestigious awards: the Most Outstanding PolyU Student Award and the Outstanding Student Award of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences. This serves as a remarkable achievement for Kelvin and a great honour for the Department. The PolyU Outstanding Student Award Scheme is a significant initiative aimed at fostering critical thinkers, effective communicators, innovative problem solvers, and socially responsible global citizens. Beyond excelling academically, award recipients act as role models, inspiring fellow students to thrive in extracurricular activities and community service. Kelvin exemplifies these qualities as a dedicated physiotherapy student. His passion for becoming a physiotherapist stems from a deeply personal motivation, inspired by his father’s struggles with back pain while working as a transporter. Kelvin found purpose in helping others on their path to recovery through the power of his hands. Over the years, he has won numerous scholarships and accolades, including the Link University Scholarship, which he has been awarded four years in a row. Please join us in congratulating Kelvin on these outstanding achievements. To read Kelvin’s reflections on his success, please click on this link.    

PolyU “We Care We Share – Community Tele-Rehabilitation Programme in Mainland China” receives funding from the Keswick Foundation, expanding its service network nationwide

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) launched the “We Care We Share” team in 2014 to provide rehabilitation services to residents affected by the 813 earthquake in Ludian, Yunnan, China. With this year marking the 10th anniversary since the establishment of the team, PolyU has received a donation of HK$6.1 million from the Keswick Foundation to implement the “We Care We Share – Community Tele-Rehabilitation Programme in Mainland China” (the Programme), which seeks to replicate the successful experience in Yunnan across north-western and north-eastern China, thereby expanding its community rehabilitation service network nationwide. The expanded programme aims to provide rehabilitation service training for 5,000 local students and professional medical personnel, benefiting 500 families over the next three years. Dr David LAM, Legislative Council member (Medical and Health Services); Prof. Miranda LOU, PolyU Executive Vice President; Mrs Clara WEATHERALL, Chairman of the Keswick Foundation Board of Governors; Prof. Angelina YUEN-TSANG, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Keswick Foundation; Dr Laura LO, PolyU Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; Prof. YAO Liqing, Vice Chairman of the Yunnan Disabled Persons’ Federation and Associate Dean of the School of Rehabilitation at Kunming Medical University; Prof. MA Ting, Dean of the Rehabilitation School at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Ms DUAN Chen-yuan, a recipient of the Programme; and Ms Atta YU, a student member of the “We Care We Share” team, jointly officiated at the launching ceremony. Dr David Lam said, “Rehabilitation is an essential extension of medical care. Based in Hong Kong, the PolyU ‘We Care We Share’ community rehabilitation service network supports rehabilitation services and personnel training in Yunnan, which has further developed into a nationwide professional service and training system. With breakthroughs in rehabilitation brought by technological applications of artificial intelligence and robotics, I believe PolyU can contribute to the Nation by leveraging its strength in this discipline.” Prof. Miranda Lou remarked, “The We Care We Share Community Rehabilitation Programme has been running for over a decade, with the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences providing rehabilitation services and therapist training to the local and neighbouring communities in Yunnan. Through professional knowledge, skills, therapeutic services and care, the Programme has not only transformed the recipients’ lives, but also brought hope to their families and communities. Today’s launching ceremony marks a new milestone for the Programme. We would like to once again express our gratitude to our charity partner, the Keswick Foundation, for their continued support, which enables us to keep moving forward and contribute more to the society.” Mrs Clara Weatherall said, “It gives me great pleasure to join you in celebrating the further expansion of this remarkable programme. What makes ‘We Care, We Share’ particularly special is how it combines expert professional care with practical, innovative community solutions. Together, we are empowering local professionals, communities, and families to build sustainable, lasting change.” The Programme has gained extensive experience in community rehabilitation over the years. With the support of the Keswick Foundation and leveraging technology to achieve tele-rehabilitation and interregional and interdisciplinary collaboration, the expanded programme will build a community-based rehabilitation service network nationwide. Through a three-dimensional model of “technology empowerment, community linkage and talent cultivation”, the Programme will leverage innovative rehabilitation medical technologies to provide support to more groups in need, while also raising societal awareness of the development of the rehabilitation profession.

PolyU RS Signs MoU with Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore future collaboration opportunities. The MoU signing ceremony, held online, marks the beginning of a promising partnership aimed at enhancing academic and clinical cooperation between the two universities. 

Dr Laidi Kan Receives Faculty Distinguished Thesis Award for Depression Research

Dr Laidi Kan, a research student of Prof. Georg Kranz, has been honoured with the Faculty Distinguished Thesis Award of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, PolyU. This award recognises the high quality of Dr Kan's PhD thesis, titled "Towards the Optimization of Therapeutic rTMS for Depression Utilizing Concurrent rTMS/fNIRS". In this thesis, a novel concurrent setup utilizing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy was designed and utilized to optimize the antidepressant efficacy of therapeutic brain stimulation. This thesis includes six studies, four of which have been published so far. The first study investigated the transdiagnostic effects of TMS targeting the prefrontal cortex. The second and third studies explored intra- and inter-individual factors influencing TMS-induced prefrontal hemodynamic changes. The final three studies assessed the predictive value of these changes for prefrontal plasticity in both healthy controls and patients with depression. We would also like to extend our congratulations to Prof. Kranz, Dr Kan's Chief Supervisor, whose mentorship and support have been instrumental in this success. Please join us in congratulating Dr Kan on this well-deserved recognition.   

PolyU RS Signs MoU with Care Alliance

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Care Alliance recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of exploring collaboration opportunities between the two parties in a number of areas, including talent cultivation, technology transfer, and scientific research collaboration. This cooperation framework will lay the foundation for innovation and development in the field of rehabilitation science for both parties. The signing of the MoU signifies a new phase of cooperation between PolyU and Care Alliance in the field of rehabilitation science. Both parties look forward to promoting the innovation and application of rehabilitation-related technologies and enhancing the overall standard of the industry through this cooperation.

Prof. Meizhen Huang Wins Prestigious Stroke Rehabilitation Award at ISC 2025

We are delighted to announce that Prof. Meizhen Huang, Assistant Professor in our department, has been honoured with the Stroke Rehabilitation Award at the International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2025, organised by the American Heart Association. Prof. Huang’s award-winning research focused on "In-Bed Robot-Guided Ankle Sensory-Motor Rehabilitation in Early Subacute Stroke Survivors: A Preliminary Clinical Trial”. The award is the result of a successful collaboration between Prof. Huang and collaborators at the University of Maryland, United States. This prestigious conference is a significant international event that brings together professionals developing effective therapies and exploring brain health and stroke recovery. Please join us in congratulating Prof. Huang on this outstanding achievement.

PolyU partners with Southern Medical University and SMU Shenzhen Hospital to establish International Sports Medical Rehabilitation Centre

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in partnership with Southern Medical University (SMU) and Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University (SMUShenzhen Hospital), have announced the establishment of the International Sports Medical Rehabilitation Centre (the Centre). This collaboration will leverage the academic and research strengthsof the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and SMU’s School of Rehabilitation Medicine, along with the extensive clinical experience and resources of SMU Shenzhen Hospital. The Centre aims to enhance the quality of sports medicine and rehabilitation services, and represents a significant advancement in the healthcare industry.  Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation),led a PolyU delegation to SMU for academic exchanges and site visits, focusing on cutting-edge sports healthcare and rehabilitation technologies. During the visit, a  Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Centre was signed by Prof. Christopher Chao, Prof. LIU Shuwen, Vice President of SMU; and Prof. ZHOU Hongwei, Director of SMU Shenzhen Hospital. Prof. Christopher Chaohighlighted PolyU’s dedication to technological innovation, research translation and talent cultivation. The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences stands as a leading academic unit both in Asia and globally, boasting top scholars and experienced clinical instructors. This collaboration will accelerate the adoption of advanced sports healthcare and rehabilitation technologies, enhancing the competitiveness of the medical industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and elevating the standard of sports medical rehabilitation treatment. The Centre aims to integrate medical care, education and scientific research to provide patients with professional and high-quality sports medicine rehabilitation and clinical services. The services will encompass prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation training for sports injuries. A key focus will be on fostering collaboration through joint academic programmes, international exchanges, and clinical training, with the goal of nurturing a new generation of globallyminded rehabilitation professionals. By leveraging its extensive expertise in sports medical rehabilitation science, PolyU will play a crucial role in offering technical support and research guidance, actively contributing to injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes. Meanwhile, the research strengths of SMU and the PolyU Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology will be harnessed to advance sports science, intelligent rehabilitation equipment, and sports monitoring systems. The Centre will prioritise translating research outcomes into practical applications for the benefit of society. PolyU anticipates a continuing collaborative effort with SMU and SMU Shenzhen Hospital to establish the Centre as a globally leading integrated platform for medicine, industry, academia, and research. Through international partnerships, the Centre aims to cultivate professional talents and deliver high-quality medical services of superior standards.

Prestigious HMRF Fellowships for Dr Jack Zhang and Dr Shirley Zhang

We are delighted to announce that Dr Jack Zhang and Dr Shirley Zhang, Research Assistant Professors in our department, have been awarded prestigious 2023 fellowships by the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF). Dr Jack Zhang will advance stroke rehabilitation through an innovative brain-computer interface (BCI) protocol that uses neurofeedback to enhance motor recovery. The grant supports overseas neurofeedback training in Germany and a clinical trial in Hong Kong, aiming to set new benchmarks in personalised neurorehabilitation. Dr Shirley Zhang will study apathy in Parkinson’s Disease (PD), focusing on brainstem and subcortical-cortical pathways using advanced imaging techniques. Her work seeks to uncover novel treatment strategies and improve progression predictions for those affected by PD. These achievements highlight our commitment to advancing healthcare innovation.