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MHRC members join healthtech project to improve mental health care

A healthtech project joined by three members of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), titled “Integrated innovative artificial intelligence, and genomic and biomedical technologies in healthcare: Objective diagnosis, personalised therapy and determination the etiology of major mental disorders”, was awarded HK$37 million funding from the Strategic Topics Grant 2023/24 of the Research Grants Council (RGC).   The five-year project is led by Prof. ZHANG Weixiong, Chair Professor in Bioinformatics & Integrative Genomics in the Department of Health Technology and Informatics and the Department of Computing. The research team is joined by three MHRC members from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences: Associate Professor Dr Sonata YAU is the Co-Principal Investigator, while Assistant Professors Dr Georg KRANZ and Dr Jessie LIN are the Co-Investigators. The project aims to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI),  genomic, biomedical and neuroimaging technologies to provide an innovative and integrated strategy for the diagnosis, treatment planning and understanding of major mental disorders. The AI-based, data-driven solution to be developed from the project will help improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment planning in mental health care. 

MHRC member awarded HMRF grant to develop a digital mindfulness-based eating awareness training intervention for weight management

Dr Dalinda Isabel SANCHEZ VIDANA, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, received a HK$1 M grant from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau, HKSAR, for her project “Digital mindfulness-based eating awareness training for obesity management: A randomised controlled trial”. The project aims to design a digital Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training (MB-EAT) and evaluate its effectiveness as an intervention for obesity management. The digital MB-EAT to be developed can be integrated into telemedicine or mobile app platforms, allowing users to administer so easily. Participants receiving the digital MB-EAT will be studied for their changes in eating behaviours, appetite-regulating hormones, stress and mood. The study will provide empirical evidence for the use of digital MB-EAT in addressing overweight and obesity in Hong Kong.

Dr Daphne Cheung receives 2023 Claudia J. Beverly Innovation Award

Dr Daphne CHEUNG, Member of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), received the 2023 Claudia J. Beverly Innovation Award by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE). The Award recognises outstanding innovative programmes and projects that have significant positive impact on the nursing care for older adults. Since 2008, Dr Cheung and her team have been developing and testing music interventions for older adults with cognitive impairment. The team worked with engineers, music therapists and users to develop the Standalone Therapeutic Music-with-Movement System, which integrates technology with conventional psychosocial intervention. The system is now being used in more than 50 care institutions in Hong Kong.

Dr Wayne Chan receives Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at IAGG Asia/Oceania Regional Congress 2023

The study led by Dr Wayne CHAN, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), “The effects of Nintendo Ring Fit-based exercise training to improve balance and muscle strength of community-dwelling older adults with an increased risk of falls – a randomised controlled feasibility trial”, received the Outstanding Poster Presentation Award at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) Asia/Oceania Regional Congress 2023. The study examined the effectiveness of the Nintendo Ring Fit-based exercise programme in improving the balance and muscle strength of community-dwelling older adults with a history of falling. Participants were randomly assigned to the Nintendo Ring Fit-based exercise (NRE) group or control (CON) group. The NRE group received an 8-week balance and resistance training using the Nintendo Ring Fit, while the CON group received the usual care. Results indicated that the NRE group showed significantly better improvement in mobility and balance than CON group, providing empirical evidence for the use of motion-sensing exergames in improving balance and muscle strength and preventing falls in older adults.

MHRC member awarded GRF grant for designing fall prevention intervention for older adults

Dr Wayne CHAN, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded a grant of about HK$1.5M from the General Research Fund (GRF) of the University Grants Committee (UGC), for his project “Investigating the effects of step training and the mediating effects of prefrontal cortex functioning in older adults with mild dementia: a randomised wait-list controlled trial”. The project aims to design a step-training programme for older adults with mild dementia and evaluate its effectiveness in fall prevention. The programme requires older adults to perform stepping and visuospatial tasks concurrently. The researcher will investigate the programme’s association with prefrontal cortex functioning and fall of older adults. The project will help understand the mechanism that affects the effectiveness of the step-training programme, and will provide empirical evidence for the use of step training to reduce the risk of falls in older adults with mild dementia.

MHRC member awarded HMRF grant to examine efficacy of brain stimulation for depression

Dr Georg KRANZ, Member of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded a grant of about HK$1.4M from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau, HKSAR, for his project “Intermittent theta-burst stimulation for major depression: an intensity-response study”. Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) is a clinically proven, non-invasive brain stimulation procedure that induces neuroplasticity of the brain for improving depression symptoms. In the project, a randomised, multicentre, triple-arm, sham-controlled clinical trial, Dr. Kranz will compare the efficacy of iTBS at various stimulation intensities. Subjects will receive iTBS on a daily basis for 4 weeks. The relationship between stimulation intensity and treatment response will be studied. The project holds important clinical implications in determining the optimal, tolerable stimulation intensity for patients, hence enhancing treatment adherence and effectiveness.  

MHRC member awarded funding from Health and Medical Research Fund to conduct study for early detection of postpartum depression

A project “A Mobile Application for Early Detection and Symptoms Trajectories of Postpartum Depression Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): A Prospective Cohort Validation Study” led by MHRC member Dr Jessie LIN, Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was awarded a grant of about HK$500K from the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau, HKSAR. The project aims to evaluate the validity of using a mobile-based ecological momentary assessment (mEMA) for studying the changes in mood symptoms among pregnant women during and after pregnancy, thus enabling the early identification of postpartum depression and the trajectories of depressive symptoms and associated factors. The study will follow a sample of 120 pregnant women for six months, and assess their mood, sleep, exercise, physical wellbeing and environmental context via a mobile application. Findings of this project will facilitate the future development of effective digital interventions for maternal mental health.  

MHRC members awarded funding from Quality Education Fund to develop digital physical quotient and learning platform

A three-year project “Digital Physical Quotient and Learning Platform” led by MHRC members including Dr Cynthia LAI, Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) and Prof. Shamay NG, Associate Head and Professor of RS Department, was awarded a grant of HK$5.9 million under the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme of the Quality Education Fund. Dr Lai and Prof. Ng are the project’s Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator, respectively. The project aims to develop a digital learning platform for promoting children’s physical and cognitive development. The platform will include motor and cognitive skills developmental assessment and training for children, as well as online learning programmes for children, parents and teachers. The platform will apply multi-media, internet of things (IoT) tools and cloud technologies to enhance the learning and teaching experiences.  

Prof. Hector TSANG shares views on mental health services

On the RTHK radio programme “Open Line Open View” on 12 June 2023, Prof. Hector TSANG Wing-hong, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, shared his views on the roles of District Health Centres and family doctors in supporting the public mental health services.   Online review: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3X0eVfR (0:56:37 - 1:08:45) (Chinese only) SCMP - https://polyu.me/3N3T56j (subscription required)

Prof. Hector Tsang shares tips for mental health on radio

Prof. Hector Tsang Wing-hong, Interim Director of the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor and Head of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was interviewed on the “Share My Song” programme by Commercial Radio Hong Kong on 6 June 2023, sharing tips for emotional self-care and emotional support for others. The episode covered sharing on important topics related to emotional health, including the importance of help-seeking, common signs and symptoms of mental health issues, and the impact of stress on mental health. Review the entire programme on Commercial Radio - https://polyu.me/441EBeb (subscription required)