Ken Yu is an emerging public-health scholar in Hong Kong whose work bridges frontline clinical care and population-level research. After completing his medical degree at the University of Hong Kong, Ken obtained a master’s degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he now serves as a research assistant and will begin his PhD in Public Health in August 2025.

Ken’s research centres on how environmental factors and lifestyle interventions shape physical and mental health. He is the first author of an ecological study using 22-year territory-wide data to link ambient temperature, influenza-like illness and acute appendicitis (BMC Public Health, 2025), and of a randomised-controlled-trial protocol testing an online exercise programme for subthreshold depression in primary care (BMC Psychiatry, 2025). During his undergraduate study, he also led a cross-sectional study on blood-donation behaviours among young adults in Hong Kong.

Drawing on his clinical and research experiences, Ken is committed to translating epidemiological evidence into practical solutions for clinicians, policymakers and the wider community. His forthcoming doctoral work will focus on public mental health, aiming to guide health-system reforms that weave evidence-based mental-health services into primary care and build more resilient, equitable care models.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Adults with PTSD Symptoms in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health challenge globally and in Hong Kong. People with PTSD symptoms from the community have diverse backgrounds and heterogeneous trauma histories, which is an important consideration when adopting group therapy for PTSD in this setting. This presentation reports findings from a two-arm randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) versus Seeking Safety, a present-focused cognitive therapy, among adults with PTSD symptoms in Hong Kong primary care.

Objectives:
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms (primary outcome) and depression and anxiety symptoms (secondary outcomes) among adults when compared to Seeking Safety.

Methods and Results:
Ninety-one participants were randomized 1:1 to MBCT or Seeking Safety, with outcomes assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three months post-intervention. Both interventions yielded significant within-group reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety symptoms, with improvements sustained at follow-up. Notably, MBCT participants demonstrated higher session attendance, lower dropout rate and higher satisfaction level. However, no significant between-group differences were observed in PTSD symptoms at primary endpoint.

Conclusion:
This study is among the first community-based RCTs of MBCT for PTSD in a Chinese population. The findings underscore the potential of mindfulness-based interventions for people with PTSD symptoms in the community, as a group-based intervention with a high satisfaction level.

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