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Background:The benefits of Tai-chi on relaxation, mental focus, motor coordination, balance, and stress reduction may help improve symptoms control and physical functioning in schizophrenic patients. The study aims at evaluating the effects of Tai-chi and developing this mind-body exercise in residential care of schizophrenia in long term.Method:The RCT included a pilot trial and an on-going 3-arm main study. A pilot trial with 30 participants randomly allocated into a 12-session (6-week) Tai-chi program and control group was conducted. Gross motor coordination, negative symptoms and functional disabilities were assessed at baseline, 1 week and 6 weeks post-intervention. Recruitment of 150 participants for the main study was conducted at the same hostel. They were randomly allocated into Tai-chi group, exercise group and wait-list control group. The study is still in progress and will be reported in the presentation.Results:For the pilot trial, participants in the control group showed marked deteriorations in the above areas throughout the study period. Tai-chi showed a protective effect from deteriorations in gross motor coordination (Z=-2.28; p=.023), and interpersonal functioning which could be sustainable for 6 weeks after the program (Z=(2.56; p=.01). Preliminary results of the main study will be presented in the conference.Conclusion:The pilot trial demonstrated the positive effects of Tai-chi on promoting movement coordination and alleviating functional disabilities. The group exercise format encourages socialization and interpersonal functioning. Tai-chi emphasizes movement rhythm and inner calmness which may further help symptoms control. The main study will confirm the results of the pilot trial.

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Background:The special mental states such as hallucination and confusion in schizophrenia have been creating obstacles in research in spirituality in this population. Although primary treatment should focus on symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual care should not be neglected. This study aimed to understand spirituality from the perspectives of both the patients and the healthcare professionals and its role in different stages of disease and rehabilitation.Method:Schizophrenic patients (n=22) and healthcare professionals including psychiatric doctors, nurses, and social workers (n=19) were recruited from an out-patient clinic of a hospital and a mental health rehabilitation complex. Semi-structured interviews on the meaning and experiences of spirituality, and its role in rehabilitation were conducted, with follow-up interviews when further clarification was needed. Interviews were transcribed into verbatim and analyzed with the assistance of computer software based on Ground theory. Trustworthiness was assured through member checking and peer scrutiny.Results:Both patients and professionals regarded spirituality as an inherent part of the patients’ well-being. Spirituality could be a practice, a way of thinking, sense of peace and fulfillment, and connectedness towards oneself, others, and a higher power. Spiritual experiences were helpful in the rehabilitation phase. However, some patients considered spirituality as apparitional experiences, thus hindered their recovery.Conclusion:This study demonstrated that the spirituality played a part in patients’ lives and rehabilitation. Findings suggest the importance of spiritual care in this population and provide insights and roadmap for developing spiritual assessments and holistic care in psychiatric context.This study is supported by RGCGRF/HKU745511H.

We derived a 7-marker and 5-marker classifier using the Luminex assay and multiplex realtime PCR, respectively. The 5-protein panel assay was comprised of epidermal growth factor receptor 1, matrix metalloproteinase 7, KIT, and complement component 9. The 5-marker classifier resulted in 66.7% sensitivity with 92.2% specificity for whole stage, and 44.4% sensitivity with 92.2% specificity for stage I and II disease. Conclusion: We have developed a 5-protein biomarker panel using multiplex real-time PCR to accurately identify NSCLC. The panel displayed similar diagnostic performance compared to a 7-protein biomarker-based Luminex assay. The high specificity in patients with NSCLC might help differentiate non-malignant pulmonary nodules in low-dose chest computed tomography screening.