A feasibility study of mindfulness-based interventions for children.

Background: Children's overall psychological well-being is a concern for parents and adults worldwide. Mindfulness appears to be a promising intervention for enhancing children's psychological well-being, and its effectiveness has been well-documented. However, there is a paucity of data on the feasibility and acceptability of implementing mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for children; this is a crucial factor in determining whether MBIs can be utilized to benefit children.

Effects of posture on heart rate variability in non-frail and prefrail individuals: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Frailty is an aging-related syndrome leading to high mortality in older adults. Without effective assessment and prevention of frailty, the incidence of frailty and relevant adverse outcomes will increase by 2050 as worldwide populations age. Although evidence suggested heart rate variability (HRV) is a potential measure of frailty, the role of HRV in frailty assessment remains unclear because of controversial findings.

Exploring the impact of a compassion-oriented training program on personal care workers in a nursing home: A mixed-methods pilot study.

This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of a compassion-oriented training program on Personal Care Workers (PCWs) in a nursing home. A mixed-methods approach was used, including pre- and post-questionnaire surveys to measure changes in compassion, and in-depth interviews and daily diaries to explore PCWs' perceptions and experiences. A convenience sample of five female PCWs from a nursing home in Hong Kong participated in the study.

The effectiveness of mindfulness yoga on patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Mindfulness yoga is a type of exercise that emphasizes the integration of mindfulness or meditation into yoga. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness yoga intervention on major depressive disorder (MDD) patients.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted by searching nine databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data knowledge service platform, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) from inception to April 2023.

Polylactic Acid-Based Biomaterials in Wound Healing: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To examine (1) the effectiveness of polylactic acid (PLA)-based biomaterials in wound healing, (2) their effects on wound infection prevention, and (3) their safety compared with existing biomaterials.

Data Sources: Data sources included PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), WEIPU, and WANFANG databases.

Study Selection: Investigators included 14 studies discussing the effects of PLA-based biomaterials in cutaneous wound healing published from 2000 to 2021.

The effects of health literacy in influenza vaccination competencies among community-dwelling older adults in Hong Kong.

Background: Poor health literacy was found to be one of the key barriers in older adults' disease prevention practice. However, it has still been unclear how different processes in health literacy play a role in older adult's vaccination-related competencies. By adopting the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU), the current study aimed to examine older adults' competences in accessing, understanding, evaluating and applying health information, as well as how they are related to perceived difficulties in vaccination-related practices.

To investigate the association between the health literacy and hand hygiene practices of the older adults to help them fight against infectious diseases in Hong Kong.

Background: Proper hand hygiene helps prevent infectious diseases, while health literacy plays a critical role in preventive health behaviors. It remains unclear as to why proper hand hygiene practices cannot be sustained and what role health literacy plays in older adults fight against infectious diseases.

Methods: A convenience sample of 433 old adults aged 65 and above was recruited.

Can Flu-Like Absenteeism in Kindergartens Be Reduced Through Hand Hygiene Training for Both Parents and Their Kindergarteners?

Hand hygiene has been found as an effective method to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Parents, however, were found to have inadequate knowledge, reporting skills, and parenting practices related to seasonal influenza. The aim of our study was to investigate if there was any correlation between the flu infection among parents and their kindergarteners and ascertain the effectiveness of using hand hygiene interventions in kindergartens to lower kindergarteners' absenteeism attributable to seasonal flu.

Building Healthy Eating Knowledge and Behavior: An Evaluation of Nutrition Education in a Skill Training Course for Construction Apprentices.

Prior research has found poor health among construction workers is related to poor nutrition and low fruit and vegetable consumption. Promoting nutrition knowledge can improve dietary behaviors, but nutrition education among construction workers is limited. We evaluated the effectiveness of nutrition education on fruit and vegetable consumption among construction apprentices.

Chinese adults' nutrition label literacy in Hong Kong: Implications for nurses.

The study aimed to investigate Chinese adults' nutrition label literacy in Hong Kong. It employed a web-based survey with structured questions. A total of 368 Chinese adults aged 18-59 participated in the survey and their nutrition label literacy was measured by the Newest Vital Sign (NVS).

Cardiovascular Health of Construction Workers in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Given a shortage of construction workers, it is important to develop strategies to avoid early retirement caused by cardiovascular diseases in Hong Kong.

Objectives: (1) to describe the cardiovascular health of construction workers in Hong Kong, (2) to examine the demographic differences in cardiovascular health, and (3) to examine the association between health behaviors and cardiovascular health factors.

Methods: 626 registered construction workers were included in the analysis.

Effect of music intervention on apathy in nursing home residents with dementia.

This study examined the effectiveness of group music intervention in the treatment of nursing home residents with apathy. Apathy can clinically defined with a score of 40 or above on the apathy evaluation scale (AES). Seventy-seven residents were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group.

A Pilot Randomized, Controlled Study of Nanocrystalline Silver, Manuka Honey, and Conventional Dressing in Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

Nanocrystalline silver (nAg) and Manuka honey (MH) dressing have increasing popularity for treating diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study was an open-label randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups' design in examining the preliminary effectiveness of nAg against MH and conventional dressing in healing DFU in terms of ulcer healing, ulcer infection, and inflammation. 31 participants (11 in the nAg group, 10 in the MH group, and 10 in the convention group) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were enrolled.

Effects of Praise Dance on the Quality of Life of Chinese Women.

Objective: Religion, spirituality, and health are inseparable in human history. Yet, the effects of religion and spirituality on health are controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of praise dance on the quality of life (QoL) of women with or without medically diagnosed diseases.

Nurses' knowledge of universal health coverage for inclusive and sustainable elderly care services.

Objectives: to explore nurses' knowledge of universal health coverage (UHC) for inclusive and sustainable development of elderly care services.

Method: this was a cross-sectional survey. A convenience sample of 326 currently practicing enrolled nurses (EN) or registered nurses (RN) was recruited.

The Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Action of Nanocrystalline Silver and Manuka Honey on the Molecular Alternation of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Honey and silver have been used since ancient times for treating wounds. Their widespread clinical application has attracted attention in light of the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While there have been a number of studies exploring the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of manuka honey and nanocrystalline silver, their advantages and limitations with regard to the treatment of chronic wounds remain a subject of debate.

Electronic dietary recording system improves nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes and habitual physical activity: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: This study's objective was to investigate whether use of an electronic dietary recording system improves nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes and habitual physical activity levels compared to use of a food diary and no self-monitoring.

Methods: Sixty adults aged 20-60 with a body mass index ≥25 were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups: a group using an electronic system (EG), a group using a food diary (FD) and a control group using nothing (CG) to record food intake. All participants took part in three 60-90 nutrition seminars and completed three questionnaires on general nutrition knowledge, habitual physical activity levels and eating attitudes at the beginning and end of the 12-week study.

Comparing the physiological and perceptual responses of construction workers (bar benders and bar fixers) in a hot environment.

This study aimed to (1) quantify the respective physical workloads of bar bending and fixing; and (2) compare the physiological and perceptual responses between bar benders and bar fixers. Field studies were conducted during the summer in Hong Kong from July 2011 to August 2011 over six construction sites. Synchronized physiological, perceptual, and environmental parameters were measured from construction rebar workers.

Effectiveness of a food education program in improving appetite and nutritional status of elderly adults living at home.

Objective: To evaluate a 3-week program comprising cooking demonstrations with free food samples in motivating elderly adults to cook more and improve their nutritional status.

Design: An experimental pre-post study.

Setting: Three districts in Hong Kong.

Teledietetics improves weight reduction by modifying eating behavior: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Weight reduction without behavioral modification is not sustainable. However, with a technology application such as teledietetics, the recording process could be a cognitive cue for individuals to change their eating behavior. This study tested obese participants to determine whether teledietetics shows better results in weight reduction.

The effects of caffeine abstinence on sleep: a pilot study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine whether caffeine abstinence in the evening could improve the sleep quality of those who habitually consume coffee.

Design: A double-blind control group design (caffeine and caffeine-free groups).

Setting: A university.

Validation of a novel traditional chinese medicine pulse diagnostic model using an artificial neural network.

In view of lacking a quantifiable traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pulse diagnostic model, a novel TCM pulse diagnostic model was introduced to quantify the pulse diagnosis. Content validation was performed with a panel of TCM doctors. Criterion validation was tested with essential hypertension.

Study on the effectiveness of disinfection with wipes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and implications for hospital hygiene.

Background: Environmental contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant risk in the epidemiology of infection. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of disinfection in clinical areas by assessment of the wipe-rinse method to MRSA in the immediate patient environment, on both the bed rails and the cleaning wipes.

Methods: The environmental disinfection procedures of 8 MRSA-positive hospitalized patients in 2 orthopedic wards were evaluated.