Acupuncture and Reflexology for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Cohort Study.

Purpose: Around three quarters of individuals undergoing chemotherapy self-report multiple symptoms. There is clinical trial evidence of effectiveness for acupuncture for commonly experienced symptoms, and emerging evidence for reflexology, but little is known about the effects of these therapies on multiple symptoms when implemented in a real world setting during active chemotherapy treatment.

Methods: This was a cohort study of participants receiving reflexology and/or acupuncture while attending chemotherapy.

Effects of a Mindful Parenting Workshop for Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults Following Social Unrest in Hong Kong.

Objectives: The social unrest that began in Hong Kong in 2019 became a threat to public mental health, such as for depression and post-traumatic stress disorders. A supportive family environment is the most effective protective factor for mental health problems for young people who are exposed to conflict and violence. This study investigated the outcomes of a brief mindful parenting workshop on parent mental health and family functioning.

Manipulating the neonatal gut microbiome: current understanding and future perspectives.

The development of a healthy intestinal microbiome following birth contributes to the overall health of the infant during childhood and into adulthood. However, modern birth practices such as caesarean delivery, feeding, antibiotic exposure as well as maternal factors have the potential to greatly impact infant microbiome development. Aberrant microbiome development may be a key factor in the increasing incidence of inflammatory and gut diseases.

Acupuncture for Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Materials And Methods: We searched six major English and Chinese databases included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing acupuncture alone or in combination for ED. Dichotomous data were presented as risk ratio (RR) and continuous data were presented as mean difference (MD) both with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Applying physical science techniques and CERN technology to an unsolved problem in radiation treatment for cancer: the multidisciplinary 'VoxTox' research programme.

The VoxTox research programme has applied expertise from the physical sciences to the problem of radiotherapy toxicity, bringing together expertise from engineering, mathematics, high energy physics (including the Large Hadron Collider), medical physics and radiation oncology. In our initial cohort of 109 men treated with curative radiotherapy for prostate cancer, daily image guidance computed tomography (CT) scans have been used to calculate delivered dose to the rectum, as distinct from planned dose, using an automated approach. Clinical toxicity data have been collected, allowing us to address the hypothesis that delivered dose provides a better predictor of toxicity than planned dose.

Gastrostomies Preserve But Do Not Increase Quality of Life for Patients and Caregivers.

Background & Aims: Gastrostomies are widely used to provide long-term enteral nutrition to patients with neurologic conditions that affect swallowing (eg, following a cerebrovascular accident or for patients with motor neuron disease) or with oropharyngeal malignancies. The benefits derived from this intervention are uncertain for patients and caregivers. We conducted a prospective, multicenter cohort study to determine how gastrostomies affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in recipients and caregivers.

Near-peer medical student simulation training.

Background: There is growing concern that medical students are inadequately prepared for life as a junior doctor. A lack of confidence managing acutely unwell patients is often cited as a barrier to good clinical care. With medical schools investing heavily in simulation equipment, we set out to explore if near-peer simulation training is an effective teaching format.

Psychosocial perception of adults with onychomycosis: a blinded, controlled comparison of 1,017 adult Hong Kong residents with or without onychomycosis.

Background: A survey was conducted amongst 1,017 Hong Kong residents ages 18 and over to determine their knowledge of fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) and the psychosocial impact of the disease on the relationships, social lives and careers of sufferers.

Methods: The Fungal Nail Perception Survey was conducted by email and online between May 29th and June 10th, 2013. Participants were shown three photographs of people with and without onychomycosis of the toenails.

Fear of movement/(re)injury in Chinese patients with chronic pain: Factorial validity of the Chinese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia.

Objective: To assess the factor structure of the Chinese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK).

Design: Chinese patients with chronic pain attending either orthopaedic specialist services (n = 216) or multidisciplinary specialist pain services (n = 109) participated in this study.

Methods: Subjects completed the Chinese version of TSK, The Chronic Pain Grade Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and questions assessing socio-demographic characteristics.

Validation of the Chinese Pain Catastrophizing Scale (HK-PCS) in patients with chronic pain.

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of a Chinese translation of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (HK-PCS).

Design/patients: Patients aged 18-79 years (N = 130) with chronic nonmalignant pain attending an outpatient multidisciplinary pain center in Hong Kong participated in this cross-sectional study.

Method: Subjects completed a set of health-related instruments: HK-PCS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, SF-36 Health Survey, and a general demographic questionnaire.

Validation of the Chinese version of pain self-efficacy questionnaire.

Background: Self-efficacy is a person's belief in his or her ability to perform a certain behavior that achieves a desired outcome. Belief in self-efficacy influences the use of pain-coping strategies, physical and psychological function, and rehabilitation outcome in chronic pain patients. We conducted this prospective study to validate the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ-HK).