Media Releases

Research reveals over 40% of COVID-19 survivors still suffer from fatigue syndrome after one year; PolyU develops “Rehab 8 Forms” programme to aid post-COVID recovery

After two years of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that while most people who have developed COVID-19 will fully recover, some may experience a variety of post-COVID symptoms months after their recovery, including breathlessness, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and more, with these mid- to long-term effects being collectively known as “long COVID.” Funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) of the Food and Health Bureau, HKSAR Government in 2020, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) research team from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences conducted prospective research to assess the physical fitness, psychosocial functions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in COVID-19 patients after recovery, as well as assessing their changes in the “3Rs”, namely “Rebuild fitness”, “Regain confidence” and “Resume normal life”. Commencing their research in October 2020, the research team followed up with the recovery status of COVID-19 patients referred from five local hospitals in the 6th and 12th months after diagnosis. Researchers evaluated their cardiorespiratory function, physical fitness, fatigue level and quality of life by leveraging face-to-face meetings and online means, making use of specific assessment tests. The research team found that more than 40% of the 118 COVID-19 survivors who participated in the research were still suffering from the symptoms of “long COVID” including fatigue and lower limb muscle weakness, 6 and 12 months after diagnosis from COVID-19, posing a negative impact to their daily life. Below are the key findings: 6 months after diagnosis: about 42% experienced fatigue syndrome; 12 months after diagnosis: about 43% still experienced fatigue syndrome; No significant changes in Fatigue Score in the 6th and 12th months post COVID diagnosis (i.e. no improvement over time); The fatigue level of the assessed subjects was related to lung capacity and lower limb strength; Fatigue syndrome exists in adults, as well as in elderlies; 50% of the female assessed subjects experienced fatigue syndrome, while only 30% of the male assessed subjects had the same syndrome. Professor Amy Fu, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of PolyU, who led the research, said, “Most COVID-19 survivors think they have recovered from the illness and do not pay attention to the fatigue symptoms, or think the symptoms will be alleviated over time. It is only after conducting various assessments that they realised that their fatigue symptoms were related to insufficient cardiopulmonary function and weak lower limb muscles. With appropriate rehabilitation programmes in place, their condition can be reversed.” 3R Rehabilitation Programme To help COVID-19 survivors regain their health, a PolyU research team has developed a 6-week physical training programme. Under the guidance of PolyU physiotherapists, survivors will undergo two training sessions (60 mins each) and three home exercise sessions (30 mins each) to improve their lung capacity and muscle strength through different forms of fitness exercise. Upon completion of the 6-week training, the study indicates that the lung capacity and lower limb strength of the majority of the 24 participants improved, and their fatigue level also improved. Below are the key findings: About 70% of the survivors showed improvement in their lung capacity; More than 60% of the survivors showed improvement in their lower limb strength; Among those who were suffering from fatigue syndrome, three quarters have returned to normal The physical training programme features “Rehab 8 Forms” designed by a PolyU research team. It consists of eight different movements to train various muscle groups and improve cardiorespiratory and muscle performance. Dr Arnold Wong, Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of PolyU, said, “the ‘Rehab 8 Forms’ is an easy-to-follow exercise; each set will take about 8 to 10 minutes to complete. One can make adjustments to the pace and progress according to their own physical condition, in order to gradually improve their fitness, so as to achieve the 3R objectives – Rebuild fitness, Regain confidence and Resume normal life.” Dr Wong added that both COVID-19 survivors and those who are spending more time at home due to the pandemic can practice “Rehab 8 Forms” to maintain their wellbeing. To watch the video of “Rehab 8 Forms”, please visit: https://youtu.be/oXJ2PLA926k To find out more about the research project, please contact the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at (852) 4623 3790 / 5598 4562.   ***END***

Secretary for Food and Health visits PolyU’s new support centre for the Hospital Authority’s COVID-19 hotline

PolyU admits sports talents through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting a sporting culture on campus, and providing full support to elite student-athletes to achieve both sports and academic aspirations. From the academic year 2022/23 onwards, PolyU will support the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA) to provide opportunities for student-athletes who are eligible to represent Hong Kong in significant international competitions with remarkable achievements in sports to pursue their undergraduate studies at PolyU.

PolyU stands together with the Hong Kong community in collaborative efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic

Hong Kong is battling an unprecedented wave of the novel coronavirus epidemic. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to supporting the Government’s efforts on various fronts in the fight against the pandemic. Over 700 PolyU students, alumni and staff have signed up to support community vaccination and testing programmes and provide assistance to different groups in need. They are part of PolyU’s collaborative efforts with the community in support of the Government’s anti-pandemic measures. Supporting elderly care homes and senior citizens has become paramount given the Omicron variant’s threat in the fifth wave outbreak. PolyU’s School of Nursing is teaming up with a number of local and Mainland China donors to provide more than 200 nursing homes with supplies, including 44,000 rapid antigen test kits, 200,000 sets of personal protective equipment (including face shields and N95 respirators), and 100 pulse oximeters. These enthusiastic donors and partners include the Zhongnanshan Medical Foundation of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Hecin Scientific, Teochew International Federation and the Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organizations, Peking University Alumni Association Shenzhen Branch, Koch Biotechnology (Beijing), Guangdong Biolight Meditech, and Wuhan Tianhe Ruiyuan Technology. The distribution of the supplies has been rolled out in phases to address the needs of the elderly and nursing home staff and help safeguard their health. Professor David SHUM, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology and Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, said, “PolyU has been closely working together with the Hong Kong community in the fight against COVID-19. For the past two years of the pandemic, we have been relentlessly supporting the authorities in their contact tracing efforts, and applying our research and innovation capabilities to support frontline healthcare workers and the general public. PolyU will continue to draw on its expertise from various fields and make new contributions to the Government’s anti-pandemic efforts.”   ***END***

PolyU to launch International Summer School 2022, offering students an inspiring learning and cultural exchange experience

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is launching its International Summer School 2022 from June to August. Participants will undertake short-term study in PolyU’s globally renowned disciplines like fashion design and optometry, and apply their new skills in local community service projects. They will also explore engaging topics like artificial intelligence and science fiction, the evolution of world cuisine, or the science and myths of traditional Chinese medicine, under the guidance of PolyU’s leading scholars. PolyU’s International Summer School 2022 offers both credit-bearing courses and participation in the Leadership Academy for Responsible Global Citizenship – a pioneering leadership and service-learning exchange programme. Applicants can choose to join both parts or only sign up for either one, allowing maximum flexibility to suit their schedules. The programme will be conducted both face-to-face and online. The credit-bearing courses offer an array of intellectually stimulating subjects in three thematic areas, namely “Chinese Language, Culture and Society”, “Design, Innovation and Technology”, and “Business, Entrepreneurship and Global Leadership”. Meanwhile, under the Leadership Academy, participants will join one credit-bearing service-learning subject to learn about the social issues related to their service targets, apply their professional knowledge and skills (e.g., fashion design, augmented reality, vision screening, and air quality testing) in a service project, and develop their sense of global citizenship. With the aim of helping overseas participants blend into the local life and culture, the PolyU International Summer School has a Buddy Programme that matches incoming participants with PolyU students, thus encouraging intercultural communication between PolyU students and the global community. The programme will also provide fun-filled, inspiring, and engaging cultural exchange activities, allowing participants to discover the vibrancy and diversity of Hong Kong. The summer programme is now open for undergraduate student applications from overseas, Mainland China and Taiwan until 31 March 2022. For details and to learn more about what past participants have said about the PolyU summer programme, please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/summerschool/.   ***END***

PolyU attains excellent results in the Environment and Conservation Fund 2021-22 research funding exercise

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved excellent results in the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) 2021-22 funding exercise for Environmental Research, Technology Demonstration and Conference Projects. Among the 41 awarded research projects from local UGC-funded universities, PolyU received the highest number of projects awarded and topped the amount of funding granted. In all, the University received a total of HK$10 million in funding from the ECF, supporting 13 research projects ranging from the study of how high purity oxygen could enhance sewage treatment, using remote sensing technology and AI for monitoring oil spills in the sea, producing hydrogen while purifying wastewater simultaneously by solar power, to the development of a smart robot that can pick up and sort litter in difficult terrain automatically. These projects will be led by PolyU researchers from the Faculties of Construction and Environment, Applied Science and Textiles, and Engineering, with details listed in the Appendix. Professor Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, who leads a task force of the University on achieving the goal of carbon neutrality before 2050, congratulated all successful applicant research teams and said, “These research projects will foster more innovative and green technologies to address local and regional environmental issues and set paths for supporting the carbon neutrality roadmap in our society. We are pleased to receive the funding support from the government, which will complement our concerted efforts to advance decarbonisation technologies for a vibrant and sustainable society.” The ECF was set up by the Government in 1994 for funding educational and research projects on environmental and conservation matters. Research and Technology Demonstration Projects awarded by the ECF will contribute in a direct and practical way towards environmental improvement and conservation of the local environment, or promote and encourage adoption of green technologies in Hong Kong.   ***END***  

PolyU appoints Mr Simon Wong as Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today announced the appointment of Mr Simon WONG Yuk Sun to the post of Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) [VP(CDF)], effective 3 May 2022.

PolyU welcomes the initiatives in the Financial Secretary’s 2022-23 Budget

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) welcomes and supports the strategic initiatives on promoting life and health scientific research in Hong Kong as proposed in the Financial Secretary’s 2022-23 Budget. The University is also grateful for the Government’s further funding support for enhancing the training of medical professionals, as well as upgrading the University’s healthcare teaching facilities. PolyU will continue its research endeavours related to COVID-19 and other areas of life and health sciences, pursuing excellence in teaching and learning, and nurturing healthcare professionals for Hong Kong.   PolyU also appreciates the Government’s commitment to promoting innovation and technology development as underscored in the Budget, including measures like more funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund to universities’ start-up and R&D activities, the injection of additional funding into the Green Tech Fund, and accelerating the progress of the digital economy.   Professor Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said these initiatives will significantly reinforce Hong Kong’s innovation and technology ecosystem, and foster a more vibrant and diversified economy for the city. PolyU will continue seeking breakthroughs in frontier scientific research, incubating start-ups in collaboration with industry partners, and supporting the development of the innovation and technology industry in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.   ***END***  

PolyU scholar receives Clair C. Patterson Award for outstanding achievements in environmental geochemistry

Professor Xiang-dong LI, Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was honoured with the Clair C. Patterson Award 2022 in recognition of his innovative and dynamic work in environmental geochemistry, including research in the fields of regional contamination, urban air PM2.5 pollution, and the origin and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.

PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2022 is open for applications, introducing secondary school students to university research projects, enabling them to discover the joy of research and explore broader knowledge

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) debuted “The Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme” (the Programme) last year, providing secondary school students with the chance to participate in various research projects under the guidance of PolyU academics, thereby opening the door for their future research endeavours. The Programme has returned this year and is now open for applications. By participating in this Programme, secondary 4 and 5 students will be able to explore a wide field of knowledge while discovering the joy of research. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of the diverse subjects offered by PolyU, which will help prepare them for their future academic and career pursuits.