Clinical trials

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based Positive Affect (PA) intervention compared to an active control condition, Social Skills Training (SST), in reducing loneliness among young adults in Hong Kong and mainland China. It further examines the psychological mechanisms underlying intervention effects, specifically the roles of positive affect and perceived social support as mediators, and rejection sensitivity as a moderator influencing both treatment responsiveness and outcome translation.

Develop and test a machine learning enabled management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia intervention for dementia caregivers.

Develop and test an effective machine learning enabled application-based (app-based) mindfulness intervention for reducing loneliness of Hong Kong Chinese older adults.

This study aims to test the efficacy of a 6-session conditioning paradigm by investigating the conditioning-induced change in the socio-affective processing, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and neural correlates of lonely adults.

The study aims to reduce loneliness among Hong Kong Chinese older adults living in poverty with a multi-level intervention involving components at the individual, interpersonal, and community levels.

This study evaluates the effects of multi-session transcranial direct current stimulation on loneliness, mood and depressiveness in people with subthreshold depression.

Executive function (EF) refers to the cognitive processes that enable goal-directed regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Two interrelated domains are commonly distinguished: "cool" EF, which involves abstract cognitive processes, and "hot" EF, which involves regulation in emotionally or motivationally charged contexts. Children with special educational needs (SENs) frequently show difficulties across both domains, yet most interventions target one in isolation. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a dual EF training package for three of the most prevalent SENs groups: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning difficulties (SpLD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 288 primary school students aged 6-12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, or SpLD will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention or waitlist control group, stratified by diagnosis. Each intervention group (n = 48) will receive the dual EF training programme, while corresponding waitlist controls (n = 48) will receive it after the study. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include neuropsychological tests of EF, teacher- and parent-reported behavioural ratings, and measures of disability impact, school satisfaction, and social participation.

The present study builds on the promising result of our SLVB pilot study with the aim to extend the works' impact by investigating the effectiveness of a SLVB intervention on the physical and psychological health outcomes in adults with physical disabilities in HKG by collecting quantitative and qualitative data in a larger sample (225 participants). The investigators hypothesize that the SLVB and Seated Dance (SD) interventions will improve physical and psychological health outcomes, and quality of life compared to the control group, with SLVB expected to be more effective than SD in enhancing health outcomes for PWPDs. Using the consolidated evidence on the benefits of SVLB from our research work, the investigators will promote SLVB in HKD and CHN by organizing i) train-the-trainer workshops (325 trainers trained), ii) SLVB classes (about 1270 PWPD in HKG and CHN) and iii) SLVB competitions in HKG and CHN (initial rounds of competition will be held across Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, with the finals to be held in Hong Kong, totaling to 408 participants). The investigators combine the evidenced benefits of SVLB with the Train-The-Trainer approach, suggested by the World Health Organization, to achieve community engagement and it is regarded as a solution to institutional barriers in promoting adapted physical activity. SLVB teaching aids will also be developed to promote the activities.

This study will develop and evaluate a smartphone-based behavioral intervention for adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and smartphone overuse in Hong Kong. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can a smartphone-based intervention lower self-reported smartphone dependence and objective smartphone usage? * Can a smartphone-based intervention lower parent-rated and self-rated ADHD symptoms? * Are there differences in electroencephalogram (EEG) in the smartphone salient vs smartphone non-salient conditions after intervention? Adolescent participants will: * report weekly smartphone use patterns based on app screencap for 12 weeks * complete online surveys on smartphone dependency and ADHD symptoms for 3 times * receive 10-minute EEG recordings to gather resting-state EEG data in a natural and relaxing state for 3 times Parent participants will: * provide a valid clinical report to confirm the adolescent's diagnosis of ADHD * complete online surveys to report on the adolescent's smartphone usage and ADHD symptoms for 3 times

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two psychosocial interventions-Tele-Positive Affect (Tele-PA) and Tele-Behavioral Activation (Tele-BA)-compared to active control (telephone-delivered friendly visit, Tele-FV) in reducing loneliness among older adults in Hong Kong.

Using a randomized controlled trial, we are going to examine whether a training program that incorporates both auditory training and working memory training (AT-WMT) would generate significantly better results in communication and cognition than an auditory training program and a mindfulness training program (active-control). Participants are 120 older adults (40 per group) with untreated mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing impairment .