Dyadic Neurofeedback for Emotion Regulation in Youth With Maternal Adversity
Emotional DysfunctionEarly Life StressThis study will examine the effect of a real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dyadic neurofeedback protocol with mothers and their adolescent daughters. Mothers will view a moving bar showing their daughters' brain activity on a computer screen while talking to their daughters.
Resilience, Grit, and Stress in Medical Students
StressPsychologicalThe incidence of burnout and mental ill-health begins very early in medical school and continues to be high throughout training. Medical students are under high amounts of stress, which often becomes chronic, and can lead to both physical and psychological issues as a student, resident, and physician. Chronic stress and burnout in medical students are not a new phenomenon, but recent research has highlighted the worsening mental health of medical students, with as high as three-quarters of students reporting mental ill-health. It is vital that ways are found to reduce burnout and assist in improving the mental health of medical students. This quasi-experimental study is an ongoing study which is enrolling cohorts of students as they enter medical school.
Reminiscence-Based Life Review on Copying With Existential Suffering Among Older Cancer Survivors...
Existential SufferingMeaning of Life3 moreTarget Issue: Cognitive impairment in older cancer survivors is highly prevalent and the co-existing neuro-psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression, would further complicate the psychosocial consequence of existential suffering. However, no reminiscence-based interventions are specifically developed for older people with cancer have been developed and evaluated. Target Population: Cancer survivors aged 65 years old and above with a mild cognitive impairment identified by the HK-MoCA 5-Min Protocol cognitive assessment. Intervention: This research project aims to implement a brief reminiscence-based intervention that includes six reminiscence chatting sessions among older cancer survivors. The proposed reminiscence-based intervention has great potential to provide psychological and spiritual care as well as comfort to those who are weak, aged and are in need of assistance. Study Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a reminiscence-based life review intervention on copying with existential suffering including meaning of life (primary outcome), cognitive function, psychological distress and social support (secondary outcomes) in older cancer survivors To explore older cancer survivors' experience of the intervention regarding the impact of the intervention on their existential suffering Study Method: The investigator will recruit 116 voluntary elder patients from the outpatient oncology clinics of the Queen Mary Hospital to participate in the study. They will be individually randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive usual care or the brief reminiscence-based intervention at home. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 6-week follow-up (T2). A qualitative interview regarding the feedback on the intervention will be undertaken only in the intervention group.
Effect of SKY Breath Meditation on Health and Well-being
StressStress7 moreThe goal of this SKY (Sudarshan Kriya Yoga) Breath Meditation study is to investigate changes in DNA methylation patterns in the blood samples collected from individuals before and after engagement in a SKY practice intervention. Secondary outcome measures include behavioral inventories, exploratory transcriptomics, proteomics and physiological measures.
Stress and Anxiety Effects on Overactive Bladder
Overactive BladderStress2 moreThe purpose of this study is to assess how psychological stress and anxiety relate to bladder sensitivity and to psychological burdens in people with overactive bladder and how this can be measured effectively.
Race-Based Stress Trauma and Empowerment
Life StressRacismThe existence of racially/ethnically based health disparities is well established, both within the civilian community and among Service Members and Veterans. Experiences of discrimination are acute and chronic stressors that substantially contribute to greater emotional distress, poorer health behavior, lower healthcare utilization and increased allostatic load, all of which undermine well-being, functioning and Whole Health. An innovative clinical program, the Race-Based Stress/Trauma and Empowerment (RBSTE) group, was developed to help Veterans of Color to build coping resources and empowerment. Although qualitative data suggest the promise of this intervention, systematic evaluation is lacking. The proposed feasibility project will lay the groundwork for a future randomized controlled trial to evaluate RBSTE as compared to a control group in terms of Whole Health, functioning and mental/physical wellness. The project thus begins a program of research to address the health implications of systemic racism.
EMDR Therapy in Young Children, a Double-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
TraumaPsychological3 moreThis project aims to answer to the question of EMDR effectiveness in young children and to determine whether or not the therapy effectiveness is related to the level of cognitive functioning in young children. The study requires a total of 60 children, girls and boys, aged 3 to 6 years and presenting disorders related to stressors, anxiety and/or trauma. Participants will be randomly distributed in two groups: "EMDR therapy" (N=30) group or "routine care" (N=30) group. The study will take place in four stages: 1/ Pre-treatment phase : An evaluation of child's various cognitive and executive functions, child's symptomatology and parental distress is planned in a pre-treatment phase. 2/ Treatment phase : An EMDR therapy or a routine care is administered to the child between 6 to 10 weeks. 3/ Post-treatment phase : A reassessment of child's and parent's symptoms is planned at the end of treatment. 4/ Continuation of treatment: Children who have received routine treatment and without symptomatic improvement will be proposed EMDR treatment. These children will receive the same symptomatic assessments at the end of EMDR treatment. A significant reduction in disorders related to trauma or stress and anxiety factors and their symptomatology, as well as comorbid disorders and their symptomatology, is expected in children who received EMDR therapy compared to the group who received a routine care. These results are expected to be robust over a period of at least 3 months. The positive effects of EMDR on child symptomatology are also expected to be more pronounced in children showing higher levels of cognitive functioning
The Impact of a Gratitude Intervention on Stress Reactivity
Positive EmotionsBlood Pressure2 moreThis study will employ a randomized mixed between-within experimental stress-testing protocol design. Physiological responses (blood pressure and pulse) will be recorded throughout a baseline, gratitude induction, standard stress-task and recovery period. Participants will be randomly allocated to the experimental (grateful induction) or control condition (neutral induction). Gratitude will be induced by completing a gratitude letter. Demographics will be measured. Psychosocial and health variables will be measured psychometrically at baseline to assess pre-existing levels and after both manipulations (allocated induction and stress task) to monitor expected change over time between conditions. Stress task is an adapted version of the Trier Stress Testing protocol.
Heart Inflammation and Mental Stress Study
HypertensionThe aim of the study is to investigate the neural underpinnings of cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress as a function of HIV and hypertensive risk.
Breathing and Decision-Making
Quality of LifeBehavior2 moreThe study aims to investigate how slow breathing with prolonged exhalation (i.e., ProlEx breathing) modulates decision-making under risk in healthy participants. To do this, a short-term breathing intervention is combined with a decision-making paradigm while neural, physiological, and behavioral data are recorded.