BMC Psychology
October 21, 2024
Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Kee Lee Chou, Steven H Zarit et al.
8 citations
A single-session mindfulness-based intervention combined with app-based follow-up may reduce stress in family caregivers of people with dementia. This trial will test the effectiveness and feasibility of a 90-minute group session with mindfulness practices and psychoeducation, plus an 8-week self-practice toolkit and online sharing, compared to an education session on dementia care. The study is a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months. Primary outcome is perceived caregiving stress; secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, positive aspects of caregiving, dyadic relationship, trait mindfulness, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients. Feasibility outcomes include eligibility, enrollment, attendance, adherence, and retention.
BMC Psychology
July 1, 2025
Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Kee Lee Chou, Alex Pak Lik Tsang et al.
2 citations
A new closed-loop mindfulness program, delivered partly through a mobile app called Mind & Care, is being tested against a traditional mindfulness program and a brief education control in a randomized controlled trial with 189 family caregivers of people with dementia. The closed-loop program adapts practice durations based on the user's attentional capacity and provides quantifiable feedback to support sustained practice. The primary outcome is perceived stress; secondary outcomes include depressive symptoms, peace of mind, caregiving burden, relationship quality, dispositional mindfulness, heart rate variability, and the care recipient's neuropsychiatric symptoms.
The Gerontologist
November 23, 2025
Patrick Pui Kin Kor, Alex Pak Lik Tsang, Daniel Lok Lam Lai et al.
1 citation
A simplified, hybrid mindfulness program delivered in six weekly sessions (face-to-face and online) reduced perceived stress and depressive symptoms and improved heart rate variability and trait mindfulness in 127 dementia caregivers in Hong Kong, compared with a brief education program. No significant effects were found on caregiving burden, dyadic relationships, positive caregiving aspects, or neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients. The results suggest that a less intensive, hybrid format can make mindfulness training more accessible and effective for caregivers who face time and responsibility constraints.
JMIR Formative Research
June 12, 2026
Clare Tsz Kiu Yu, Alex Pak Lik Tsang, Kelly Ka Yu Chan et al.
An 8-week group-based mindfulness intervention delivered in a CAVE virtual reality environment was feasible and acceptable for adolescents with mild-to-moderate anxiety in Hong Kong. Attendance was high, with no dropouts or adverse events. No significant changes were found in self-reported distress, anxiety, depression, stress, or trait mindfulness. However, significant improvements in heart rate variability indices—standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals and root-mean-square of successive differences—suggest preliminary enhancements in physiological stress regulation. Qualitative feedback indicated perceived benefits in emotional regulation, stress reduction, focus, and sleep, with the immersive environment and group format as key facilitators.