Media

Psychosocial Support Program for People with Colorectal Cancer:
Recruitment for a Clinical Trial of Mindfulness and Baduanjin

05 Dec 2016

Colorectal Cancer and Holistic Well-Being
Statistics from the Centre of Health Protection (Department of Health) showed that colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Hong Kong, and also the second leading cause of cancer deaths.  Cancer is a serious illness that often causes distress in patients and their caregivers.  An exhausting and treacherous journey to survivorship can mean a lower quality of life for those who are fighting the disease.  Colorectal cancer is associated with a broad range of life style-related risk factors.  Amongst all, stress is one of the prominent leading causes of cancer; and thus effective stress management is of vital importance in any psycho-social support program for colorectal cancer.

According to research, body-mind exercises – such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, qigong and taichi – may have a positive impact on cancer patients’ mood, quality of life, and other areas of well-being.  Earlier this year, the research team at the Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong has conducted a pilot study exploring the effectiveness of mindfulness-based self-compassion training for cancer patients.  The pilot study offered an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention program for 44 cancer patients (22 in the Mindfulness-based Self-Compassion Training Group, and 22 in the Wait-list control group).  Results demonstrated positive changes in terms of self-compassion, positive and negative affect, depressive and anxiety symptoms, cancer-related psychological distress, and ability in emotion regulation (as indexed by Heart Rate Variability, HRV).

The current study aims to scientifically examine the short-term and long-term impacts of two common types of mind-body practices, namely Mindfulness and Baduanjin (a simplified form of Chinese Qigong practice), in improving the psycho-social-spiritual well-being of people with colorectal cancer.  The targeted sample of the current study is non-terminal stage colorectal cancer patients. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned into either the Self-Compassion Mindfulness Practice Group, or the Baduanjin Practice Group.  Interested parties may contact the Centre on Behavioral Health for more details and registration.

Invitation to Press Conference
Members of the press are invited to attend a press conference on how Body-Mind exercises could help improve the well-being of colorectal cancer patients. Professor Rainbow T.H. Ho (Dept. Social Work & Social Administration) will give us a brief overview on body-mind exercises, as well as the details of the forthcoming clinical trial. Qualified trainers in Mindfulness and Baduanjin training will share with us the benefits of the specific practice to people with cancer.  Research team members of the pilot study of Mindfulness-based Self-Compassion Training will also share with us the preliminary results of the pilot study.  Furthermore, participants from the pilot study will also be invited to share with the public their experience in the group, and how they benefited from the practices.

Details of the press conference are as follows:
Date: 7 December 2016 (Wednesday)
Time: 2:15 pm – 3:45 pm
Venue: Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong
            2/F., The Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research,
            5, Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.

Guests:
Professor Rainbow T.H. Ho
Department of Social Work & Social Administration
Director, Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong

Mr. Adrian H.Y. Wan
PhD Candidate, Department of Social Work & Social Administration
Senior Research Coordinator, Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong

Ms. Yau Fuk Kiu, Elzer
Tai Chi Yuan Well Being Club

Participants of the Mindfulness-based Self-Compassion Training Program (Pilot Study)

For media enquiries, please contact the Senior Administration Executive, Ms. Amy Choi at Centre on Behavioral Health (Phone: 2831 5158/ Email: amychoi@hku.hk), or Senior Manager (Media) of the Communications and Public Affairs Office, Ms. Melanie Wan (Phone: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk).