Research Projects
Effect of self-administered acupressure for improving xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☒ MRes[Med] ☒ URIS

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, affects up to 80% of head and neck cancer patients following treatment, often becoming a chronic and debilitating condition. This study evaluates the effectiveness of self-administered acupressure, a non-invasive and cost-effective technique based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, in alleviating xerostomia symptoms and improving quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. By exploring its acceptability and mechanisms, this research aims to establish acupressure as a viable, patient-led alternative for managing xerostomia in this population.

Professor ST Cheung, School of Nursing

Professor Denise Cheung is currently an Assistant Professor at School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong (HKU). She is a registered nurse who obtained her BNurs and PhD degrees in School of Nursing from the University of Hong Kong. Her research work is in the area of complementary and alternative therapy, with particular focus on populations in need of symptom management, such as survivors of intimate partner violence, cancer patients, and caregivers. Denise has successfully accomplished large randomized controlled trials to improve telomerase activity of abused women and stress of caregivers of elderly family members, with main findings published in JAMA Network Open and Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Currently she is conducting several research projects related to complementary and alternative therapy in cancer populations.

 

Biography
Scholars Hub
ORCID
denisest@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ School of Nursing