Academic Staff

Prof. Cynthia LAI

Associate Professor

PDOT, MSc, PhD, OTR, HKROT

QT507
+852 2766 6710
cynthia.yy.lai@polyu.edu.hk

ORCID ID

SCOPUS ID

Biography

Prof. Cynthia Lai graduated with a Master’s degree in Health Care and a PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine. She is an occupational therapist who specialises in paediatrics and people with developmental disabilities.

Before she joined PolyU, she had been working as a paediatric and geriatric occupational therapist in non-government organisations and the Hospital Authority. She was previously a Clinical Educator in the Occupational Therapy discipline in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. She has been serving as chief investigator in both government- and non-government-funded projects to develop evaluation and rehabilitation instruments for children and adults. Her teaching and research interests include sensory processing, executive functioning, and the physiological mechanisms underlying behaviours in people with developmental disabilities and older adults.

Education and Academic Qualifications

Professional Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Hong Kong Polytechnic
Master of Science in Health Care (Rehabilitation of People with Developmental Disabilities), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Doctor of Philosophy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Professional Qualifications

Registered Occupational Therapist
Registered Occupational Therapist

Research Interests

Ng, S. S., Chen, P., Li, S., Chan, P. W., Tsui, A. K., Lai, C. Y., & Tse, M. M. (2026). Psychometric properties of functional gait assessment in people with stroke. BMC neurology.

Ng, S. S., Chen, P., Chan, Y. L., Chan, Y. T., Cheng, H. T., Lai, C. Y., & Liu, T. W. (2026). Adapting LIFE-H 3.1 to investigate the level of participation of community-dwelling survivors of stroke. Topics in stroke rehabilitation, 33(1), 39-49.
Longjun, R. E. N., Thomson, W. O. N. G., Cynthia, L. A. I., & Shamay, N. G. (2025). Psychometric assessment of the translated and culturally adapted Chinese (Cantonese) of the brief memory and executive test in people with stroke. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 61(3), 401.
Liu, T. W., Ho, L. Y., Lai, C. Y., Wong, T. W., So, B. C., Xu, R. H., ... & Ng, S. S. (2025). Psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Measure of Participation and Activities Screener in people with stroke. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 32(1), 83-91.
Chen, P., Ng, S. S., Cheung, Y. L., Hong, H. Y., Law, S. H., & Lai, C. Y. (2025). Psychometric Properties of the Balance Self-Efficacy Scale in People With Stroke. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 49(6), 400-410.
Ng, S. S., Chen, P., Liu, T. W., Li, C. H., Tang, T. H., Lau, J. L., ... Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tse, M.M. (2025). Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques–4 in people with stroke. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 1-11.
Shamay, S. M., Peiming, C. H. E. N., Shun Hei, C. H. O. I., Tung Ji, L. A. M., Hei Yee, L. A. U., Hing Ki, L. A. U., ... & Cynthia, Y. Y. (2025). Muscle strength and stiffness of elbow muscles: Correlation with upper limb motor functions in people with chronic stroke. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 57, 44075.
Peiming, C. H. E. N., Shamay, S. N., Billy, C. S., Richard, H. X., Chun, L. H., Kim, J. L., ... Cynthia, L. & Mimi, M. T. (2025). Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of 21-item Fall Risk Index for community-dwelling older adults with stroke. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 61(3), 376.
Chen, P., Tse, M. M. Y., Ng, S. S., Ho, L. C., Kwok, A. T., Lam, S. C., ... & Lai, C. Y. (2024). Psychometric properties of lift and carry test in assessing people with stroke. Frontiers in neurology, 15, 1379536.
Ho, L. Y., Lai, C. Y., Lai, C. K., & Ng, S. S. (2024). Fatigue predicts level of community integration in people with stroke. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 31(5), 464-473.
Pan, H., Liu, T. W., Ng, S. S., Tsoh, J., Wong, T. W., Lam, S. S., ... & Lai, C. Y. (2024). Testing the psychometric properties of the Chinese (Cantonese) version of SATIS-Stroke in people with chronic stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(1), 159-169.
Shamay, S. N., Tai-Wa, L. I. U., Peiming, C. H. E. N., Sum, Y. L., Victoria, C. L., Yat, C. L., ... & Cynthia, Y. L. (2023). Loaded and unloaded timed stair tests as tools for assessing advanced functional mobility in people with stroke. EuropEan Journal of physical and rEhabilitation MEdicinE, 59(1), 14.
Lai, C. Y., Chen, L. H., Lai, F. H., Fung, A. W., & Ng, S. S. (2023). The association between satisfaction with life and anxiety symptoms among Chinese elderly: a moderated mediation analysis. BMC geriatrics, 23(1), 855.
Previtali, G., Lai, C. Y., Valvassori Bolgè, M., Cavallini, A., Nacinovich, R., Piscitelli, D., & Purpura, G. (2023). Sensory Modulation Abilities in Healthy Preterm-Born Children: An Observational Study Using the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist (SPSRC). Biomedicines, 11(8), 2319.
Purpura, G., Lai, C. Y., Previtali, G., Gomez, I. N. B., Yung, T. W., Tagliabue, L., ... & Nacinovich, R. (2022, December). Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version of Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist (SPSRC). In Healthcare (Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 92). MDPI.
Yuan, H. L., Lai, C. Y., Wong, M. N., Kwong, T. C., Choy, Y. S., Mung, S. W., & Chan, C.C. (2022). Interventions for sensory over-responsivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A narrative review. Children, 9(10), 1584.
Yuan, H. L., Lai, C. Y., Wong, M. N., Kwong, T. C., Choy, Y. S., Mung, S. W., & Chan, C.C. (2022). Possible neural mechanisms underlying sensory over-responsivity in individuals with ASD. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 9(4), 89-97.
Yung, T. W., Lai, C. Y., & Chan, C. C. (2022). Abnormal physiological responses toward sensory stimulus are related to the attention deficits in children with sluggish cognitive tempo. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, 875064.
Wangkawan, T., Lai, C., Munkhetvit, P., Yung, T., & Chinchai, S. (2021). Effects of auditory and visual interference control on visuospatial working memory in children with ADHD. Journal of Medical Sciences, 41(6), 265-272.
Gomez, I. N. B., Morato-Espino, P. G. G., & Lai, C. Y. (2021). Examining the linguistic equivalency and cross-cultural adaptation of the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist-Tagalog version. Asian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 17(1), 57-63.
Gomez, I. N., Arel, F. A., Asidao, J. M., Baguio, J. D., Nava, L., Rivera, D. A., ... & Lai, C.Y. (2021). Psychometric properties of the sensory processing and self-regulation checklist-tagalog version. Philippine Journal of Allied Health Sciences, 5(1), 18-27.
Chien, C. W., Lai, Y. Y. C., Lin, C. Y., & Graham, F. (2021). Occupational performance coaching with parents to promote community participation of young children with developmental disabilities: Protocol for a feasibility and pilot randomized control trial. Frontiers in pediatrics, 9, 720885.
Yung, T. W., Lai, C. Y., Chan, J. Y., Ng, S. S., & Chan, C. C. (2021). Examining the role of attention deficits in the social problems and withdrawn behavior of children with sluggish cognitive tempo symptoms. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 585589.
Gomez, I. N. B., Calsa, A. P., Esguerra, J. T., Penetrante, P. J. H., Porlucas, K., Santos, M. E., ... & Lai, C. Y. (2021). Psychometric Properties of the Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation Checklist: English Version. Occupational therapy international, 2021(1), 6658786.
Liu, T. W., Ng, S. S., Cheung, K. Y., Cheung, M. Y., Hung, R. N., Lam, M. F., ... Lai, C. Y.,& Tse, M. M. (2021). Reliability and validity of Six-Spot Step Test (SSST) in stroke survivors. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 57(6), 879-888.
Lai, Y. Y. C., Yung, W. K., Lai, H. Y., So, Y. T., & Ng, S. M. S. (2020). Pre-Clinical Study of Immediate Effects of Religious and Non-Religious Mindfulness Practice on Cardiovascular and Cortical Modulation. journal of integrative cardiology Open Access, 1-4.
Ng, S. S., Liu, T. W., Kwong, P. W., Choy, H. M., Fong, T. Y., Lee, J. Y., ... & Tse, M. M.(2020). Psychometric testing of the Fall Risks for Older People in the Community screening tool (FROP-Com screen) for community-dwelling people with stroke. PLoS one, 15(5), e0233045.
Chien, C. W., Lai, Y. Y. C., Lin, C. Y., & Graham, F. (2020). Occupational performance coaching with parents to promote community participation and quality of life of young children with developmental disabilities: A feasibility evaluation in Hong Kong. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(21), 7993.
Yung, T. W., Lai, C. Y., Chan, J. Y., Ng, S. S., & Chan, C. C. (2020). Neuro-physiological correlates of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms in school-aged children. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(3), 315-326.
Wangkawan, T., Lai, C., Munkhetvit, P., Yung, T., & Chinchai, S. (2020). The development and psychometric properties of the visuospatial working memory assessment (VWMA) for children. Occupational therapy international, 2020(1), 8736308.
Lai, C. Y., Yung, T. W., Gomez, I. N., & Siu, A. M. (2019). Psychometric properties of sensory processing and Self-Regulation checklist (SPSRC). Occupational Therapy International, 2019(1), 8796042.
Yung, T. W. K., Lai, C. Y., Gomez, I. N., Loh, V., Wang, J., Chan, J. Y., ... & Ng, S. S. (2019). Parents’ perceptions of children’s executive functions across different cities. Child Neuropsychology, 25(2), 152-161.
Ng, S. S., Tse, M. M., Tam, E. W., & Lai, C. Y. (2019). The psychometric properties of the toe tap test in people with stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(23), 2817-2825.
Lai, C. Y. Y., Yung, W. K., Chum, W. S., Hong, C. Y., Lau, S. Y., Lee, P. Y., ... & Ng, S. S.M. (2018). Applicability of digital platform for evaluation of fine motor skills in young children. Integrative journal of orthopaedics and traumatology, 1(1), 1-3.
Ng, S. S., Tse, M. M., Kwong, P. W., Fong, I. C., Chan, S. H., Cheung, T. C., ... & Lai, C.Y. (2018). Reliability of the Maximal Step Length Test and its correlation with motor function in chronic stroke survivors. BioMed research international, 2018(1), 6985963.
Ng, S. S., Mimi, M. Y., Tam, E. W., & Lai, C. Y. (2018). Reliability and convergent validity of the five-step test in people with chronic stroke. Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 50(1), 16-21.

Gomez, I. N., Lai, C. Y., Yung, T. W., Chan, C. C., & Tsang, H. W. (2018). Migration influences on the allostatic load of children: Systematic review protocol. JMIR research protocols, 7(1), e8332.

Lai, Y. Y. C., Ng, S. M. S., & Lai, F. (2023, October). Ageing effect on physiological regulation towards sensory stimulation in older women. Healthy Ageing Conference 2023.
Lai, Y. Y. C., Lau, H. M., Lam, A., Chan, Y. Y. H., Yip, W. H., Cheung, Y. N., ... & Yung, W.K. (2022, August). Application of digital platform to promote mental wellness in adolescents during COVID-19. The 15th International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology: Enabling all with assistive technology.
Chen, L. H., Ng, S. M. S., Lai, F. H., Fung, A. W. T., & Lai, Y. Y. C. (2023, May). The association between life satisfaction and anxiety symptoms in Hong Kong elderly. PAIR Conference Programme, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Hong C. Y., Lee P. Y., Lau S. Y., Chum W. S., Pang T. T., Yung W. K., Lai C. Y. Y. (2018,November 17-18). Applicability of digital platform for fine motor assessment of preschool children. The 11th Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2018, November 17-18). Behavioural and physiological adaptation in children of migrant origins. The 11th Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2018, November 17-18). Parasympathetic resting state differences between children with and without ADHD. The 11th Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2018, November 17-18). Utilising neuroscience evidence to inform research: a reflective inquiry. The 11th Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR.
Yung, T. W. K., & Lai, C. Y. Y. (2018, November 17-18) The influence of society characteristics and ethnicity on parent perception on executive functioning performance in children: Implications on using rating scale to assess executive functioning abilities on children with different cultural background. The 11th Pan-Pacific Conference on Rehabilitation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR.
Lai, C. Y. Y., & Yung, W. K. (2018, September 3-6). Applicability of wearable sensor on children with disabilities. In Sensor & Actuators Congress, International Association of Advanced Materials, Sweden.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2017, October). Environmental influence on the autonomic regulation of response towards sensory stimuli in children. The 1st Asia-Pacific Occupational Therapy Symposium, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2017, October). Behavioural and Autonomic Regulation of Response to Sensory Stimuli among Children: A Systematic Review of Relationship and Methodology. The 1st Asia-Pacific Occupational Therapy Symposium, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Tsang, H. W. H. (2017, October). The relationship between behavioural and autonomic regulation of response to sensory stimuli in children. The 1st Asia-Pacific Occupational Therapy Symposium, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
Gomez, I. N. B., Lai, C. Y. Y., Chan, C. C. H. & Tsang, H. W. H. (2017, August 30-September 2). Migration influences autonomic regulation of response to sensory stimuli in children. International Society for Autonomic Neuroscience 2017 Conference, Nagoya, Japan.
Lai, C. Y. Y., Gomez, I. N., & Yung, T. W. K. (2017, August 30-September 2). Autonomic functioning, emotional regulation and sensory over-responsivity in young children with or without autism spectrum disorder. International Society of Autonomic Neuroscience, Nagoya, Japan.
Lai, C. Y. Y., Gomez, I. N., & Yung, T. W. K. (2017, August 30-September 2). Physiological correlates of emotional control in school-aged children. International Society of Autonomic Neuroscience, Nagoya, Japan.
Yung, T. W. K., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Gomez, I. N. (2017, August 30-September 2). Heart rate variability and working memory among children with typical development. International Society of Autonomic Neuroscience, Nagoya, Japan.
Yung, T. W. K., Lai, C. Y. Y., & Gomez, I. N. (2017, August 30-September 2). Heart rate variability and sluggish cognitive tempo behaviour among children with typical development. International Society of Autonomic Neuroscience, Nagoya, Japan.

《職業治療-鍵盤彈奏Mix & Match》。黎婉儀、呂靄玲、梁倬僑合著。香港職業治療學會，2024年6月。ISBN：987-988-14636-8-5
Lai, Y. Y. C., Sung, C., & Yung, W. K. (2020). '與自閉症譜系人士工作新服務模式'之研究. In 另眼相看: 自閉症譜系人士與優勢模式的工作手法 (pp. 11-65).
Lai, C. Y. Y., & Chiu, A. S. M. (2018). Sensory processing and self-regulation checklist (SPSRC): Second edition. Hong Kong: Heep Hong Society.
Leung, C. M., Lai, C. Y. Y., Lau, D. K. Y., & Pin, T. W. M. (2017). Poly Kids – A Multi-disciplinary Parent Training Programme to Support Parents of Preschool Children with Development Delay. Hong Kong SAR: Food and Health Bureau.
Heep Hong Society (2015). Training Apps for Attention Deficits/Hyperactivity: ADHD Warriors. Hong Kong: Heep Hong Society.
Man, D., Yip, C., Lai, C., & Lee, G. (2017). Rehabilitation in Hong Kong. In Barbara A. Wilson, Jill Winegardner, Caroline M. van Heugten, and Tamara Ownsworth. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation: The International Handbook (pp.517-519). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.
Lai, C. Y. Y., & Chiu, A. S. M. (2013). Sensory processing and self-regulation checklist (SPSRC). Hong Kong: Heep Hong Society.
"ADHD概論, 評估知多少, 提升潛能全攻略". In 吳慧婷(Ed.), 《躍動成長路-專注力失調/過度活躍症(ADHD)家長錦囊》 (Parent’s guide on management of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) （pp.21-105）。香港：星島出版社，2014。 ISBN 978-962-348-223-3 (print)
翁偉傑、張明麗、黎婉儀、張詠詩著。《青蔥教室系列之躍動成長路-專注力不足過動症學童全方位校本支援計劃 (教師手冊) (Teacher’s guide on “Comprehensive School based supportive program for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”)。香港：協康會，2011。
翁偉傑、張明麗、黎婉儀、張詠詩著。《青蔥教室系列之躍動成長路專注力不足過動症學童全方位校本支援計劃 (家長手冊)》 (Parent’s guide on “Comprehensive School based supportive program for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder”)。香港：協康會，2011。
協康會編著。《青蔥教室系列專注力不足過動症 (ADHD) 兒童訓練錦囊》(Children from Mars – Parent guide on children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)。⾹港：協康會，2008。