Randomized controlled trial of supportive-expressive group therapy and body-mind-spirit intervention for Chinese non-metastatic breast cancer patients

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of supportive-expressive group (SEG) therapy and body-mind-spirit (BMS) intervention on emotional suppression and psychological distress in Chinese breast cancer patients.published_or_final_versio

Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on diurnal cortisol pattern in disadvantaged families : a randomized controlled trial

202208 bckwAccepted ManuscriptRGCPublishe

The promotion of active interest for successful retirement - CADENZA Community Project Active Interest Mentorship Scheme

Conference Theme: Live Well, Age Wel

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma of the kidney: a case series with literature review (Abstract)

This free Journal suppl. entitled: Special Issue: Abstracts of the Hong Kong Urological Association, 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting, 20 November 2016, Hong KongAbstract and Poster PresentationOBJECTIVES: To describe four rare cases of epithelioid angiomyolipoma (PEComa) and to discuss the tumour entity and its clinical behavior. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Histopathology reports on partial or total nephrectomy specimens from 2001 to 2016 were reviewed. Patient data, presentation and treatment outcomes on patients with pathological diagnosis of PEComa were reviewed. RESULTS: Three of the patients presented with incidental finding of renal mass, while the fourth patient presented with painful abdominal mass. The first three cases were managed as small renal mass based on CT findings with partial nephrectomy performed. CT of the last case showed large and locally advanced tumour. Radical nephrectomy, right adrenalectomy and wedge resection of the liver were performed. There was no renal biopsy for all 4 cases. The former three patients remained disease-free during subsequent follow-up and the last patient died of liver metastasis in 6 months despite chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: PEComa is a rare entity sharing common presentation as renal tumours, with malignant potential in some of the cases.link_to_OA_fulltex

A randomized controlled trial on the psychophysiological effects of physical exercise and Tai-chi in patients with chronic schizophrenia

The chronic and prevalent natures of schizophrenia result in long-term institutionalization for the patients. Conventional treatment of anti-psychotic medication on management of psychotic symptoms often brings on severe side effects and reduces patients' well-being. Tai-chi is a mind–body exercise that underscores motor coordination and relaxation. This 3-arm randomized controlled trial investigated the psychophysiological benefits of Tai-chi on 153 chronic schizophrenia patients, who were recruited from a mental health rehab complex and randomized into Tai-chi, exercise, or waitlist control groups. Both intervention groups received 12 weeks of specific intervention plus standard medication received by the controls. All participants completed psychiatric interviews, self-report questionnaires, performance tasks, and salivary cortisol measures at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up on psychotic symptoms, motor coordination, memory, daily living function, and stress. Multigroup latent growth modeling was used to evaluate the intervention effects on the outcomes. Compared to controls, the Tai-chi group showed significant decreases in motor deficits and increases in backward digit span and mean cortisol, while the exercise group displayed significant decreases in motor deficits, negative and depression symptoms and increases in forward digit span, daily living function, and mean cortisol. The two interventions did not show significantly different therapeutic effects, except for fewer symptom manifestations in the exercise group. These results suggest psychophysiological benefits for Tai-chi on chronic schizophrenia patients in terms of motor coordination and memory. Though both Tai-chi and exercise groups tended to manifest fewer symptoms than the control group, the exercise group showed better symptoms management than the Tai-chi group

Assessment of Factors Contributing to Levees Stability

The paper focuses on the global instability of levees by analyzing those factors that contribute to the earthwork stability. Moreover, the effectiveness of naturalistic methods is reviewed. Global instability is caused by gravity and seepage forces. Therefore, different collapse mechanisms such as piping, overtopping, hydraulic heave, etc. are not considered. The levee geometry and its hydraulic and mechanical characteristics are the main factors controlling the stability. The material strength, in turn, strongly depends on the degree of saturation, and usually levees are partially saturated. Piezocone tests can be used for a quick evaluation of the effective stress state of partially saturated materials. On the other hand, geoelectric tomography can extend this information from given survey verticals to the whole longitudinal development of the considered levee. Partial saturation strongly contributes to the levee stability and therefore any technique aimed at maintaining the levee under this condition is extremely useful. Protection of the levee - sides by means of geogrids and bio-mats reduces the amount of infiltration water, helps the water adsorption by grass-vegetation and contributes to the mechanical strength thanks to the root-apparatus. The paper provides some preliminary results concerning the contribution of some types of grass to the material strength. The paper mainly shows a possible simplified approach that requires further developments and validation

Effects of Tai-chi on functioning, symptoms, and movement coordination on patients with schizophrenia

Meeting Theme: Advancing the National Prevention Strategy Through Behavioral Medicine InnovationPaper Session 10: Complementary, Integrative, and Alternative Medicine InterventionsBackground: Patients with schizophrenia require long-term care and management of psychotic symptoms via anti-psychotic medication, which may induce side effects and reduce patients' functioning. Tai-chi is an Eastern mind-body health exercise that emphasizes motor coordination. The present study aimed to examine the effects of Tai-chi intervention on the cognitive and motor deficits of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A 3-arm randomized control trial was conducted to recruit 151 residential patients with schizophrenia (mean age = 54.0 years, SD = 8.5) who were randomized into Tai-chi, exercise, or waitlist control groups. Both the Tai-chi and exercise groups were given 12 weeks of specific intervention on top of the standard medication and care. All participants were assessed in terms of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Barthel’s Activities of Daily Living Index, and Neurological Evaluation Scale at baseline, at 12 weeks (post-intervention) and at 24 weeks (maintenance). Latent growth modeling was used to assess the intervention effects on daily living function, symptom management, and movement coordination. Results: Participants in the three groups did not significantly differ on demographics and baseline status of the outcome variables. Both the Tai-chi and exercise groups showed significant improvement (p .05) for Tai-chi on management of the psychotic symptoms. Discussions: These results suggest that Tai-chi psychotherapy may have some therapeutic effects in reducing the motor deficits and improving the daily functioning of residential patients with schizophrenia. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by the General Research Fund, Research Grants Council (GRF/HKU744912). The authors would like to acknowledge the staff of the Providence Garden of Rehab, Hong Kong, for their provision of support and coordination for the study