HKU Bulletin October 2016 (Vol. 18 No.1)

Psychosocial intervention programmes provide vital support in fighting some of life’s biggest battles. Fighting on all Fronts The Department of Social Work and Social Administration (DSWSA) has been working for around 20 years on developing a Mind-Body- Spirit approach to coping with illness, or serious stress-inducing situations. Two of the leaders in the field are Dr Celia Chan Hoi-yan and Professor Cecilia Chan Lai-wan, Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work. Most recently their techniques have been used in two experimental approaches, both backed by Knowledge Exchange funding: a lung cancer fighter course and a programme designed to help couples going through the stress of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures. While clearly disparate problems – both are times when people are under extreme duress. Dr Celia Chan Hoi-yan, Assistant Professor at DSWSA, has been collaborating with HKU’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in developing a self-help psychosocial support exercise called the Body-Mind Wellness Intervention Programme, tailormade for women undergoing IVF treatment. Dr Chan’s work is taking the research to a new level of sophistication, and she is seen as a leader in the fertility and women’s health fields. The programme was developed based on the findings of a study carried out between 2013 and 2015 by Dr Chan’s team. It was the first longitudinal study in Hong Kong to examine anxiety and depression levels among infertile women whose IVF cycles were unsuccessful, and the results indicated women benefited from the intervention. Participants were divided into three groups: the first received spiritual contents and behavioural techniques; the second were given the spiritual contents only; and the third got only the health information. The hypothesis was that those women receiving spiritual contents and practising behavioural techniques during their waiting period after IVF treatment, will have a more significant reduction in anxiety, depression and psychosocial distress than the two other groups, and the findings confirmed this. “More and more research is confirming the positive effects of psychosocial interventions,” said Dr Chan. “Psychosocial interventions refer to a range of non-drug therapies including individual counselling, group activities, relaxation training, and education on symptom management.” The programme includes a series of exercises participants can do at home. The Mind and Body aspects include acupressure exercises, qigong, taijiquan and the Spirit part includes reflective exercises. “The focus on spirituality is important,” Dr Chan said, “and this is part of a global trend. Spirituality looks at how we deal with suffering, be it physical or emotional pain. How we conceptualise spirituality is key, and it is important to note this is not religiosity – people who are not religious can be spiritual and have spirituality.” Taboo subject For women having IVF, stress is often worsened by not being able to talk about what they are going through. “Infertility is still a taboo subject in Chinese society and in Hong Kong there is insufficient recognition of, and support for, the needs of infertile women within both their social and familial networks,” said Dr Chan. “Undergoing IVF is a life-changing experience. In most cases it fails – the success rate is under 30 per cent – so for most there will not be a happy outcome. Also, the IVF process itself is demanding both physically and mentally.” IVF begins with hormonal treatment, followed by egg retrieval, then egg transfer, after which there is a two-week waiting before doctors can confirm if the process has been successful and pregnancy has been achieved. “We start briefing the women before the process begins, so they know what to expect and can get into a positive frame of mind,” said The focus on spirituality is important, and this is part of a global trend…Howwe conceptualise spirituality is key, and it is important to note this is not religiosity – people who are not religious can be spiritual and have spirituality. Dr Celia Chan Hoi-yan The self-help ‘Body-Mind Wellness Intervention Programme’ is a self-administered psychosocial programme designed specifically for women undergoing IVF treatment. Every participant receives a booklet of self-help body- mind techniques. 35 | 36 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin | October 2016 Knowledge Exchange