Effectiveness and brain mechanism of multi-target transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on motor learning in stroke patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has proven to be an effective treatment for improving cognition, a crucial factor in motor learning. However, current studies are predominantly focused on the motor cortex, and the potential brain mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects are still unclear. Given the interconnected nature of motor learning within the brain network, we have proposed a novel approach known as multi-target tACS.

Effectiveness and mechanism of action of rTMS combined with quadriceps strength training in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Quadriceps training is necessary in function and activity of daily living for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, it did not reduce the rate of surgical treatment for end-stage KOA in the long term. This may be related to brain structure changes and maladaptive plasticity in KOA patients.

Rates and correlates of medication non-adherence behaviors and attitudes in adult patients with early psychosis.

Purpose: Literature on antipsychotic medication adherence in early psychosis primarily assessed adherence behaviors and focused on young patients. There is a paucity of research investigating negative medication attitude and its determinants in the early illness course, particularly in older-aged sample. We aimed to examine prevalence and correlates of medication non-adherence behaviors and negative medication attitudes separately in adult patients with early psychosis.

Synergy-based functional electrical stimulation and robotic-assisted for retraining reach-to-grasp in stroke: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Stroke survivors have long-term upper limb impairment, which impacts the quality of life (QOL) and social reintegration, but there is lack of effective therapeutic strategies and novel technologies. Customized multi-muscle functional electrical stimulation (FES) based on the muscle synergy of healthy adults and robotic-assisted therapy (RAT) have been proved efficacy respectively. Synergy-based FES combined with RAT can be a novel and more effective therapy for upper limb recovery of stroke survivors from the perspective of synergistic enhancement.

Effort-based decision making in schizotypy and its relationship with amotivation and psychosocial functioning.

Introduction: Suboptimal effort-based decision-making with reduced willingness to expend effort for high-probability/high-value reward is observed in schizophrenia patients and is related to diminished motivation, but is understudied in schizotypy. This study aimed to examine effort-allocation in schizotypy individuals and its association with amotivation and psychosocial functioning.

Methods: We recruited 40 schizotypy individuals and 40 demographically-matched healthy controls, based on Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief (SPQ-B) score (top and bottom 10% SPQ-B scores, respectively), from 2400 young people aged 15-24 years participating a population-based mental health survey in Hong Kong and examined effort-allocation using the Effort Expenditure for Reward Task (EEfRT).

Dynamic Patterns of Symptoms and Functioning in Predicting Deliberate Self-harm in Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders Over 3 Years.

Objectives: Patients with schizophrenia have a significant risk of self-harm. We aimed to explore the dynamic relationship between symptomatology, functioning and deliberate self-harm (DSH) and evaluate the feasibility of developing a self-harm risk prediction tool for patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES).

Methods: Patients with FES (n = 1234) were followed up for 36 months.

Aberrant Learned Irrelevance in Patients with First-Episode Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorder.

Emerging evidence has indicated disrupted learned irrelevance (LIrr), a form of selective attention deficit that may contribute to psychotic symptom formation, in schizophrenia. However, previous research mostly focused on chronic patients. There is a paucity of studies on LIrr in first-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorder (i.

Clinical and psychological correlates of insight dimensions in patients with early psychosis.

Aim: To investigate correlates of insight dimensions in Chinese adult patients with early psychosis.

Methods: Insight dimensions including awareness of mental disorder (AMD), illness consequences (AIC) and medication effect (AME) were measured. A wide array of variables encompassing demographics, premorbid adjustment, onset profiles, symptomatology, treatment characteristics and psychological factors were comprehensively assessed.

Sex differences in symptom severity, cognition and psychosocial functioning among individuals with at-risk mental state for psychosis.

Aim: Sex differences are well documented in schizophrenia, but have been much less studied in at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. We aimed to examine sex differences in symptomatology, cognition, social and role functioning in individuals with ARMS, with specific focus on clarifying relationships between sex, negative symptoms and functioning.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-seven Chinese participants aged 15-40 years with ARMS were recruited from a specialized early intervention service in Hong Kong.

Psychiatric comorbidity in individuals at-risk for psychosis: Relationships with symptoms, cognition and psychosocial functioning.

Aim: Psychiatric comorbidity frequently occurs with at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. Its relationships with psychopathology, cognition and functioning, however, remain to be further clarified. We aimed to examine prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidity, and its associations with psychosocial functioning and subjective quality-of-life (QoL) in a representative sample of Chinese ARMS individuals.