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Loneliness is associated with various negative mental and physical health outcomes. Studies on factors associated with loneliness can inform its early screening and prevention. However, little is known about what factors are associated with loneliness among Chinese young children. The present study aimed to identify the various loneliness-associated factors (demographic, personal, school-related, and family-related) among primary school students in Hong Kong. A total of 258 students and their parents from six primary schools in Hong Kong completed an online anonymous survey from June to October 2020. Loneliness (i.e., UCLA Loneliness Scale 3 total score ≥ 3) was reported by 14% of the students. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression suggested loneliness was positively associated with a lower happiness level at school, poorer independence skills, a lower level of satisfaction with parents, and lower child-rearing expenditure. There was no clustering effect of school on the associations. The current study found important demographic, personal, school-related, and family-related factors of loneliness among school-age children, with caution suggested in their interpretation considering the cross-sectional nature of this study. Future studies with a larger sample, preferably longitudinal ones, are needed to substantiate these associations and uncover their underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE To test the efficacy of intra-articular hypertonic dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) vs normal saline (NS) injection for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). METHODS A single-center, parallel-group, blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university primary care clinic in Hong Kong. Patients with KOA (n = 76) were randomly allocated (1:1) to DPT or NS groups for injections at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 16. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC; 0-100 points) pain score. The secondary outcomes were the WOMAC composite, function and stiffness scores; objectively assessed physical function test results; visual analogue scale (VAS) for knee pain; and EuroQol-5D score. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at 16, 26, and 52 weeks using linear mixed model. RESULTS Randomization produced similar groups. The WOMAC pain score at 52 weeks showed a difference-in-difference estimate of -10.34 (95% CI, -19.20 to -1.49, P = 0.022) points. A similar favorable effect was shown on the difference-in-difference estimate on WOMAC function score of -9.55 (95% CI, -17.72 to -1.39, P = 0.022), WOMAC composite score of -9.65 (95% CI, -17.77 to -1.53, P = 0.020), VAS pain intensity score of -10.98 (95% CI, -21.36 to -0.61, P = 0.038), and EuroQol-5D VAS score of 8.64 (95% CI, 1.36 to 5.92, P = 0.020). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION Intra-articular dextrose prolotherapy injections reduced pain, improved function and quality of life in patients with KOA compared with blinded saline injections. The procedure is straightforward and safe; the adherence and satisfaction were high., INTRODUCTION Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is ubiquitous in primary care, leading to pain, disability, and substantial patient and societal costs. (1,2) Conservative care is limited. While exercise and weight reduction are [...]

Background: To investigate the effect of a modified mindfulness‐based stress reduction (mMBSR) program on mental well‐being and cognitive function of older adults. Method: Two hundred and fourty‐six participants were randomly assigned to mMBSR (n = 120) group or waitlist control group which received mMBSR at 2‐month (n = 123). Data collected at baseline, 2 and 4 months after recruitment. Primary outcome: mental well‐being: Short Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Well‐being Scale (SWEMWBS). Secondary outcomes: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), international shopping list test, self‐compassion scale, peace of mind scale, geriatric depression scale (GDS), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). In modified‐intention‐to‐treat analysis, paired t‐test for within group comparison, and ANCOVA to compare group differences at 2‐months with adjustment of baseline values. Results: Most participants were female (83.7%), living with others (67.0%), and married (50.7%). No significant difference of baseline characteristics except sleep quality. At 2 months, intervention group reported better mental well‐being (0.9, 95%CI: 0.1–1.8, p = 0.025) and less depressive symptoms (−1.0; 95%CI: −1.7 to −0.3, p = 0.004). Within group at 2 months, intervention group had improvement in: mental well‐being (SWEMWBS: 22.5–23.4, p = 0.011), cognitive function (MOCA: 24.6–25.8, p < 0.001; VFT: 38.7–42.1, p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (GDS: 4.1–3.1, p < 0.001), and sleep quality (PSQI: 8.3–6.7, p < 0.001). All these changes, except mental well‐being, were sustained at 4 months. Discussion: Attrition rate was 14% and mindfulness intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable in older adults. Major limitation of the study was the absence of an active control group to control for non‐specific effect. Key Points: MBSR improved mental well‐being and depressive symptoms in community dwelling older Chinese adults immediately after interventionThe improvement in depressive symptoms seemed to sustain 2 months after interventionMBSR was feasible and acceptable to older Chinese adults [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]