GRADUATE SCHOOL
| Researcher : Leung FKS |
| Project Title: | An inquiry into the characteristics of East Asian mathematics classrooms through international comparison |
| Investigator(s): | Leung FKS, Park K. |
| Department: | Education Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Small Project Funding |
| Start Date: | 11/2004 |
| Abstract: |
| To identify the common features in the mathematics classrooms of China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), Japan and Korea in contrast to the non-East Asian countries in the Learner's Perspective Study project (Australia, Germany, Israel, the Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, and USA) that contribute to high achievement in accordance with Marton's theory of variation. |
| Project Title: | The Hong Kong Component of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2007 |
| Investigator(s): | Leung FKS, Yung BHW |
| Department: | Education Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Education and Manpower Bureau - General Award |
| Start Date: | 11/2006 |
| Abstract: |
| The study will address the following research questions: (1) What is the prevailing level of mathematics achievements in Hong Kong? (2) What is the prevailing level of science achievements in Hong Kong? (3) With the implementation of the policy of teaching in the mother tongue as from the 1998/99 school year, whether there is any change in the achievements in mathematics and science at the junior secondary level, and to what extent is such change caused or affected by the medium of instruction policy? (4) Has any change occurred towards a wider interpretation of the meaning (e.g. including attitudes of students and teaching and learning processes on top of syllabus and achievement) of mathematics and science education in Hong Kong as compared with previous TIMSS studies and the other participating countries / regions? (5) Have factors affecting achievements in mathematics and science changed to any significant extent compared with results from previous studies? (6) Have attitudes (e.g. learning attitudes) towards mathematics and science education among students and attitudes (e.g. teacher expectation) towards mathematics and science teaching by subject teachers changed since previous studies, and what are some of the possible reasons for such changes? (7) What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Hong Kong students in mathematics and science and what are the recommendations for the learning and teaching in addressing students’ weaknesses, in particular, what are some of the more practicable and effective teaching strategies relating to mathematics and science education in Hong Kong? |
| Project Title: | Professional competence of future mathematics teachers in Germany and Hong Kong: a comparative study |
| Investigator(s): | Leung FKS |
| Department: | Education Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme |
| Start Date: | 01/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| To develop instruments (questionnaires and interview schedules) for measuring mathematics knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and belief in mathematics and mathematics learning and teaching of future teachers; to measure mathematics knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and belief in mathematics and mathematics learning and teaching of future teachers in Hong Kong and Germany; to identify the patterns of relationships among mathematics knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and belief in mathematics and mathematics learning and teaching; to identify strengths and weaknesses of future mathematics teachers in Hong Kong and Germany, and to propose further development of mathematics teacher education in the two places. |
| Project Title: | 33rd Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-33) The Infouence of Language on the Conception of Geometric Figures |
| Investigator(s): | Leung FKS |
| Department: | Education Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 07/2009 |
| Completion Date: | 07/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Leung F.K.S., Lee A.M.S., Lopez-Real F.J., Leung A., Mok I.A.C. and Wong K.L., What Can We Teach Mathematics Teachers? Lessons From Hong Kong, In: F.K.S. Leung & Y. Li (Eds.), Reforms and issues in school mathematics in East Asia: Sharing and understanding mathematics education policies and practices. Rotterdam, Sense Publishers, 2010, 153-168. |
| Researcher : McMillan AS |
| Project Title: | Orofacial Pain and its Functional and Psychosocial Impact |
| Investigator(s): | McMillan AS, Wong MCM, Lam CLK, Luo Y |
| Department: | Dental Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Small Project Funding |
| Start Date: | 11/2005 |
| Abstract: |
| This is a cross-disciplinary study involving the Faculties of Dentistry and Medicine that is directly related to the major research theme of Healthy Ageing. Hypotheses: o A substantial number of community-dwelling adults in Hong Kong suffer from orofacial pain (OFP) and the majority of them do not seek professional help for their condition o OFP is an under-treated condition that causes significant disability and has a serious adverse effects on people's well-being and quality of life. Purpose: To investigate a) the prevalence of OFP and its diagnostic sub-groups in community dwelling adult people in Hong Kong, b) the adverse impact of OFP on functional and psychosocial wellbeing, and c) barriers to treatment seeking for OFP symptoms. Objectives: o To determine the frequency, severity and pattern of OFP according to diagnostic sub-groups using validated patient-centred measures and clinical assessment o To describe the treatment seeking behaviour associated with OFP and factors associated with such behaviour o To assess the impact of OFP on health-related QoL using generic and condition specific health status measures o To correlate patient descriptions of OFP with clinical diagnoses Pain is closely associated with poor health. The negative effect of pain on health outcomes such as function and quality of life (QoL) among patient populations is well documented (Ahmedzai, 1995). However, little is known about the impact of pain on subjective health and well-being in community dwelling populations (Reyes-Gibby et al, 2002). Although pain is a common symptom of dental and oral disease and can have a significant impact, there is a shortage of systematic data on the prevalence, severity and consequences of orofacial pain (OFP) in general, non-clinical populations (Nikias, 1985). In a community based study in Toronto, Locker & Grushka (1987) noted that 53% of participants had experienced some pain or discomfort in the orofacial region in the previous four weeks. The majority of pain reports were tooth or gum related whereas pain in the jaws, face and oral mucosa were less common. Epidemiological studies in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom have shown that the prevalence of oro-facial pain symptoms in adult populations ranges from 14 to 40% (Lipton et al, 1993; Locker & Grushka, 1987; Macfarlane et al 2002). Gender and age-related differences in oro-facial pain prevalence have also been noted with women and younger adults at apparently greater risk of pain symptoms, whereas older people are more likely to suffer more severe pain (Macfarlane et al, 2002; Von Korff et al, 1988). Pain may have considerable impact on people's ability to perform effectively at work, home and school. Nonetheless, not everyone seeks professional help for pain with some symptoms being ignored while others may prompt action (Macfarlane et al, 2003). It is, therefore, important to discern factors that may distinguish individuals who seek professional care from those who do not. In a population-based study of OFP in the UK, Macfarlane et al (2003) noted that less than half of their study population with OFP sought professional advice. The majority of factors associated with seeking treatment appeared to be various characteristics of pain although the time course of these factors was unclear. Locker & Grushka (1987) observed that while more than 50% of their OFP study group described pain severity as moderately severe or severe, only 40 % of those reporting pain sought advice from a doctor of dentist. Ethnic differences in the perception of and means of managing pain account, at least in part, for observed differences in treatment seeking behaviour for orofacial pain conditions (Hastie et al, 2005). Socioeconomic status is also an important factor related to treatment seeking with oral disease generally more common among those least able to access health care and leads to needless pain and suffering (Riley et al, 2005). There is presently very little information on the prevalence and impact of oro-facial pain in Southern Chinese people in Hong Kong. Most oro-facial pain prevalence studies have focused on predominantly Caucasian populations. However, a recent study in Korean elders indicated that the prevalence was higher in this ethnic group and significant disability was associated with the condition (Chung et al, 2004). In a previous population-based survey, we have shown that self-reported pain symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders are relatively common in the Hong Kong Chinese population (Pow et al, 2001). However, the characteristics of the pain differed from other ethnic groups, no gender bias in pain symptoms was observed and treatment seeking was much lower than in Caucasian counterparts. One of the problems associated with the available epidemiological data on prevalence of OFP is that it has been collected solely by means of questionnaires with patient self-reports not being confirmed by clinical assessment (Macfarlane et al, 2004). There is, therefore, the risk that patient described pain symptoms are misinterpreted and pain symptoms due to multiple conditions may go unrecognized. Definitive diagnoses can only be obtained by clinical assessment. References: Ahmedzai S. Recent clinical trials of pain control: impact on quality of life. Eur J Cancer 1995;31A(Suppl):S2-7 Chung JW, Kim JH, Kim HD, Kho HS, Kim YK, Chung SC. Chronic orofacial pain among Korean elders: prevalence, and impact using the graded chronic pain scale. Pain 2004;112:164-170 Hastie BA, Riley III JL, Fillingim RB. Ethnic differences and responses to pain in healthy young adults. Pain Medicine 2005;6:61-71 Lipton JA, Ship JA, Larach-Robinson D. Estimated prevalence and distribution of reported orofacial pain in the United Sates. J Am Dent Assoc 1993;124:115-121 Locker D, Grushka M. Prevalence of oral and facial pain and discomfort: preliminary results from a mail survey. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1987;15:169-172 Macfarlane TV, Blinkhorn AS, Davies RM, Kincey J, Worthington HV. Factors associated with health care seeking behaviour for orofacial pain in the general population. Community Dent Health 2003;20:20-26 Macfarlane TV, Blinkhorn AS, Craven R et al. Can one predict the likely specific orofacial pain syndrome from a self-completed questionnaire? Pain 2004;111:270-277 Nikias M. Oral disease and the quality of life. Am J Public Health 1985;75:11-12 Reyes-Gibby C, Aday L, Cleeland C. Impact of pain on self-related health in community-dwelling older adults. Pain 2002;95:75-82 Riley III JL, Gilbert GH. Orofacial pain symptoms: an interaction between age and sex. Pain 2001;90:245-256 Von Korff M, Ormel J, Keefe FJ, Dworkin SF. Grading the severity of chronic pain complaints. Pain 1988;32:173-183 |
| Project Title: | Predictors of outcome of orofacial pain: A community-based longitudinal study |
| Investigator(s): | McMillan AS, Wong MCM, Lam CLK, Luo Y, Zheng J |
| Department: | Dental Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Small Project Funding |
| Start Date: | 11/2006 |
| Completion Date: | 10/2009 |
| Abstract: |
| This is a cross-disciplinary study involving the Faculties of Dentistry and Medicine that is directly related to the major research theme of Healthy Ageing. Purpose: To investigate a) the pain characteristics in community-dwelling adult Hong Kong Chinese people with OFP, b) to follow-up OFP sufferers over a 6-month period and identify presenting factors and behaviours that predict poor outcome. Null hypotheses: - Orofacial pain does not tend to persist - There are no factors that can predict the persistence of OFP Objectives: o To describe the outcome of OFP after a period of 6-months o To identify baseline factors that predict poor outcome in adults with OFP Orofacial pain (OFP) may be defined as pain related to the face and/or mouth and involves both hard and soft tissues in these anatomical regions. Epidemiological studies in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom have shown that the prevalence of OFP symptoms in adult populations ranges from 14 to 40%.1-3 In a population-based survey of OFP symptoms in adult Chinese people in Hong Kong, the one-month period prevalence of OFP (42%) was found to be consistent with estimates in western countries.4 Pain is closely associated with poor health and may considerably impair people's ability to perform daily living activities. Despite this, not all pain sufferers seek professional help with some symptoms being ignored whilst others prompt attention. (2,3,5,6). In studies involving western cohorts 44-46% with OFP sought professional help (2,5,6). However, only 20% of Hong Kong Chinese adults with OFP symptoms sought professional treatment.4 Thus, it is important to explore the factors and barriers relating to professional treatment seeking behaviour in order to understand the disparity between Chinese adults and their western counterparts. MacFarlane et al5 noted that pain characteristics appeared to prompt treatment seeking although the time course of these factors was unclear. The decision to seek treatment may be related to the consequences of the OFP as experienced by the individual and also affected by culturally-mediated responses to the pain experience and its consequences (7). A key characteristic of OFP is that it tends to persist (8). In a longitudinal study in the United Kingdom, over half those with OFP at baseline reported pain four years later (9). Persistent pain was associated with females, increasing age, psychological distress, widespread body pain and taking pain medication at baseline. In a Swedish cohort, the follow-up of 109 patients with OFP revealed that after 4 to 9 years only 27% had resolution of the pain, with pain medication usage at baseline a strong predictor of persistent OFP (10). The consequences of OFP have an impact on various aspects of daily life and include work loss, sleep disturbance, need for more rest, avoidance of social contacts, and difficulty eating and speaking (2,11). The magnitude of the impact appears to be related to the pain characteristics and socio-demographics of the respondents (2,3,11). Pain-related sleep disturbance is also a key determinant of seeking professional treatment (6). There is scant information available on the characteristics of OFP in southern Chinese people, its potential to persist and the functional and psychosocial impact. In a population-based survey of symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in Hong Kong Chinese people, jaw pain, restricted jaw opening and jaw clicking were the most common presenting symptoms and often associated with significant morbidity (12). In contradistinction to western studies, there were no gender-related differences in symptom reporting or treatment seeking (12). In a recent study of chronic OFP in elderly Koreans the prevalence appeared to be higher compared with Caucasian populations.13Adverse impacts were common with around 30% of those with joint pain, toothache and burning mouth symptoms having significant associated disability and impairment of daily living activities (13). The ideal approach to the investigation of OFP in the community is by interview using validated questionnaires and clinical assessment. However, most studies where patient-based and clinical data are available involve a bias sample of people seeking treatment. In epidemiological studies of OFP, the most common means of obtaining information is by questionnaire, by mail or telephone survey, without clinical examination of the participants. Even with contemporary questionnaire approaches, without clinical assessment, there is always the issue of data reliability. References 1. Lipton JA, Ship JA, Larach-Robinson D. Estimated prevalence and distribution of reported orofacial pain in the United States. J Am Dent Assoc 1993;124:115-21. 2. Locker D, Grushka M. Prevalence of oral and facial pain and discomfort: preliminary results of a mail survey. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1987a;15:169-72. 3. Macfarlane TV, Blinkhorn AS, Davies RM, Kincey J, Worthington HV (2002). Oro-facial pain in the community: prevalence and associated impact. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 30(1):52-60. 4. McMillan AS, Wong MCM, Zheng J, Lam CLK. Prevalence of orofacial pain and treatment seeking in Hong Kong Chinese. J Orofac Pain (in press) 5. Macfarlane TV, Blinkhorn AS, Davies RM, Kincey J, Worthington HV. Factors associated with health care seeking behaviour for orofacial pain in the general population. Community Dent Health 2003;20:20-26. 6. Locker D. The symptom iceberg in dentistry. Treatment-seeking in relation to oral and facial pain. J Can Dent Assoc 1988:54:271-4. 7. Hastie BA, Riley JL, Fillingim RB. Ethnic differences and responses to pain in healthy young adults. Pain Med 2005;6:61-71. 8.Von Korff M, Ormel J, Keefe F, Dworkin S (1992). Grading the severity of chronic pain. Pain 50(2):133-149. 9.Macfarlane TV, Blinkhorn AS, Davies RM, Kincey J, Worthington HV. Predictors of outcome for orofacial pain in the general population: a four-year follow-up study. 2004 J Dent Res ;83:712-7. 10. Wolf E, Nilner M, Petersson A, Petersson K (2002). Long-term follow-up by means of a questionnaire of 109 patients with long-lasting orofacial pain. Swed Dent J. 26(3):125-34. 11. Locker D, Grushka M. The impact of dental and facial pain. J Dent Res 1987;66:1414-7. 12. Pow EHN, Leung KCM, McMillan AS. Prevalence of symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders in Hong Kong Chinese. J Orofac Pain 2001;15:228-34. 13. Chung JW, Kim JH, Kim HD, Kho HS, Kim YK, Chung SC. Chronic orofacial pain among Korean elders: prevalence, and impact using the graded chronic pain scale. Pain 2004;112:164-70. |
| Project Title: | A randomized clinical trial on the effect of Chlorhexine mouth rinse and assisted tooth brushing on the health condition and qulaity of life of elderly stroke patients |
| Investigator(s): | McMillan AS, McGrath CPJ, Li LSW, Samaranayake LP |
| Department: | Dental Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | Small Project Funding |
| Start Date: | 11/2007 |
| Abstract: |
| The main purpose of this oral health intervention project is to compare the effect of providing 1) professional oral hygiene instruction alone versus 2) professional oral hygiene instruction plus adjunctive Chlorhexidine mouth rinse versus 3) professional oral hygiene instruction plus adjunctive assisted tooth brushing and Chlorhexidine mouth rinse, on the oral health condition, the general health condition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with stroke who are receiving hospital-based rehabilitation. An additional purpose is to assess potential longer term oral intervention-related health and HRQoL outcomes. Null hypotheses: 1. There is no difference in a) the amount of dental plaque, gingival bleeding and oral carriage of yeasts and coliforms, b) morbidity or mortality levels, and c) the change in HRQoL between stroke patients who have received professional oral hygiene instruction alone compared with professional oral hygiene instruction plus adjunctive assisted tooth brushing and/or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse. 2. There is no difference in the change in health condition and HRQoL among the three treatment groups, 6-months after completion of the oral intervention. Objectives: To describe and compare prospectively over a 4-week period during hospital-based rehabilitation, 1a. Changes in the amount of dental plaque, gingival bleeding and oral carriage of yeasts and coliforms in stroke patients after receiving professional oral hygiene instruction with or without adjunctive assisted tooth brushing and/or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse. b. Changes in morbidity and mortality levels in stroke patients after receiving professional oral hygiene instruction with or without adjunctive assisted tooth brushing and/or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse. c. Changes in HRQoL in stroke patients after receiving professional oral hygiene instruction with or without adjunctive assisted tooth brushing and/or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse. 2. To describe and compare changes in health condition and HRQoL in stroke patients 6-months after receiving professional oral hygiene instruction with or without adjunctive assisted tooth brushing and/or Chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Stroke is one of the commonest causes of brain injury in the elderly and leads to significant disability and mortality (Counsell et al, 1995). Depending on the severity and type, stroke leaves an individual with residual impairment of physical, psychological and social functions. Limb paralysis and reduced manual dexterity are common physical features (Scully & Cawson, 1998). Up to 85% of stroke patients have an initial deficit in the arm and hand and problems remain in 55-75% of patients three to six months later (Lai et al, 2002). Oro-facial manifestations of stroke include unilateral facial palsy that mainly affects the lower face, tongue and soft palate. Stroke-related oral motor impairment is very disabling as speech, mastication and swallowing problems are common and such key behaviours do not always fully recover (Smithard, 2001). Impaired manual dexterity affects the stroke survivors’ ability to clean their teeth and dentures and maintain a healthy oral condition and together with impaired oral function-related inability to clear the mouth of food debris result in halitosis, caries and an increased risk of oral microbial infections notably Candida and coliform species (Rose et al, 2002). Tooth brushing is the mainstay of good oral hygiene and health. However, after stroke, conventional tooth brushing is difficult and often ineffective. Battery-operated tooth brushes are more effective than conventional tooth brushes for disabled patients (Kamen, 1997). Even then, good oral hygiene may be difficult to attain without assistance from a care-giver. A combination of mechanical and chemical interventions have proven efficacy in the prevention of periodontal diseases (Santos et al, 2004). Chlorhexidine, a bisguanide, is considered to be the most effective chemical agent in dental plaque control and is used routinely in mouth rinse form as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontal diseases (Van Strydonck et al, 2005). It displays low toxicity and microbial resistance and supra-infection do not appear to occur, and its persistence prolongs anti-bacterial action (Paraskevas, 2005). Measurement of health related quality of life (HRQoL) in stroke sufferers provides information on recovery, identifies predictors of patient outcome and assists in the evaluation of interventions (Pickard et al, 1999). An effective approach to the measurement of quality of life is a combination of generic and specific questionnaires (Allen, 2003). The Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) is a generic measure that has been validated for use in stroke patients (Dorman et al, 1999). The SF-12 also exhibits an acceptable level of responsiveness to change in stroke patients (Muller-Nordhorn et al, 2005). The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49) and its short form version are sophisticated oral specific instruments that measure the impact of oral conditions on HRQoL (Allen, 2003). References: Allen PF. Assessment of oral health related quality of life. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003 Sep 8;1:40 Counsell C, Wardlow C, Sandercock P et al. The Cochrane Collaboration Stroke Review Group. Meeting the need of systematic reviews in stroke care. Stroke 1995;26:498-502 Dorman PJ, Dennis M, Sandercock P. How do scores on the EuroQol relate to scores on the SF-36 after stroke? Stroke 1999;30:2146-2151 Kamen S. Oral health care for the stroke survivor. J California Dent Assoc 1997;25:297-303 Lai SM, Studenski S, Duncan PW, Perera S. Persisting consequences of stroke measured by the stroke impact scale. Stroke 2002;33:1840-1844 Muller-Nordhorn J, Nolte CH, Rossnagel K et al. The use of the 12-item short-form health status instrument in a longitudinal study of patients with stroke and transient ischaemic attack. Neuroepidemiology 2005;24:196-202 Parakevas S. randomized controlled clinical trials on agents used for chemical plaque control. Int J Dent Hygiene 2005;3:162-178 Pickard AS, Johnson JA, Penn A et al. Replicability of SF-36 summary scores by the SF-12 in stroke patients. Stroke 1999;30:1213-1217 Rose LF, Mealey B, Minsk L, Cohen W. Oral care for patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke. JADA 2002;133:375-345 Santos S, Herrera D, Lopez E, O’Connor A et al. A randomized clinical trial on the short-term clinical and microbiological effects of the adjunctive use of 0.05% chlorexidine mouth rinse for patients in supportive periodontal care. J Clin Periodontol 2005;31:45-51 Scully C, Cawson RA. Medical Problems in Dentistry. Wright, UK, 1998 Smithard DG. Swallowing and stroke. Neurological affects and recovery. Cerebrovasc Dis 2002;14:1-8 Van Strydonk DAC, Timmerman MF, van der Velden U et al. Plaque inhibition of two commercially available chlorhexidine mouthrinses. J Clin Periodontol 2005;32:30530-9 |
| Project Title: | 86th General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Treatment seeking behaviour in Southern Chinese people with orofacial pain |
| Investigator(s): | McMillan AS |
| Department: | Dental Faculty |
| Source(s) of Funding: | URC/CRCG - Conference Grants for Teaching Staff |
| Start Date: | 07/2008 |
| Abstract: |
| N/A |
| List of Research Outputs |
| Leung K.C.M., McMillan A.S. and Leung W.K., Effect of cevimeline hydrocholoride on dental caries-related micro-organisms in patients with Sjogren's syndrome, 10th International Symposium on Sjogren's Syndrome. 2009, 100. |