ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6672-7187
Current Organisation
Edith Cowan University
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Publisher: Sciedu Press
Date: 07-03-2017
DOI: 10.5430/JNEP.V7N8P27
Abstract: There is increasing interest in the phenomena of international student mobility and the growing global demand for skilled nurses. Little is known, however, about the learning experiences of Chinese nursing students at Australian universities. This study begins to address this gap. A narrative inquiry methodology was employed. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions, along with field notes and observations were conducted with six Chinese undergraduate nursing students studying undergraduate nursing in Western Australia. Chinese nursing students in Australia experienced fear and anxiety, driven by unfamiliarity with the hospital environment, education methods, and assessment expectations. Clinical placement experiences in Australian health services were identified by participants as the most stressful learning experience. Forming friendships with domestic students was difficult and rare for these students: none made friends with local students or joined university groups. Despite the challenges they experienced, the participants were motivated and adaptive to a new culture and learning methods, and all, demonstrated academic success. This study provides new knowledge about the learning experiences of Chinese nursing students at Australian universities. Many of the issues identified relate to the wider discussion around effective support for international students.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEDT.2014.12.005
Abstract: To report the current knowledge on the Chinese nursing students' learning at Australian universities. The intent is to provide educators and researchers with a background to the contexts, the methodologies, the emphases of various relevant studies, and to provide recommendations for future research. Attracting international students has become an important part of Australian universities' business and contributes to their cultural ersity. Teaching international students has received considerable attention in the educational research literature. Experiences of international students can vary greatly depending on their country of origin. This paper critically reviews current literature relating to issues for Chinese students and in particular, Chinese nursing students, the biggest single group of international nursing students at Australian universities Narrative literature review. A comprehensive search of seven electronic databases for literature between 2003 and 2014 helped to identify qualitative and quantitative studies that addressed issues of Asian international students with English as a second language (ESL) (included nursing students) studying in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the United States and China. Pertinent websites were also searched. The reference lists and bibliographies of retrieved articles were hand- searched to identify other relevant studies. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. The majority of existing literature claimed that there is a range of challenges confronting international students including Chinese nursing students, in assimilation into their host country. These include issues with English language proficiency, cultural barriers, social problems, different learning styles, academic demands, perceived racism, homesickness, lack of assertiveness and financial problems. There is limited research about the Chinese students' study in Australia. In particular, the learning experience of Chinese nursing students has not been fully explored nor understood. This paper highlights the need for further research into the lived learning experience of Chinese nursing students studying at Australian universities.
Publisher: AME Publishing Company
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.21037/APM-20-44
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2015
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1177/17455057221127813
Abstract: Quality of life, mental wellbeing, and physical function deteriorate among women with breast cancer. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may be effective in improving the mental and physical wellbeing, therefore, the quality of life of women with breast cancer. This protocol paper outlines a trial to determine the therapeutic effects of a Tai Chi programme on breast cancer management. The study will be an interventional, single-blind, double-armed, randomized, and controlled trial involving a 12-week Tai Chi programme for women with breast cancer. Forty participants aged 18 years and above who are diagnosed with breast cancer from the general community will be recruited. All participants will be randomized to either a Tai Chi programme or a waiting list control group. The Tai Chi programme will involve 12 weeks of group Tai Chi sessions, with 45 min per session, twice a week. The primary outcome will be potential improvements to the quality of life, and secondary outcomes will be potential improvements in mental wellbeing (anxiety and depression), and physical function (pain, flexibility, obesity, and vital signs). These outcomes will be assessed via self-administered online assessments and physical examinations pre-and post-intervention. Linear mixed modelling will be used to assess changes in outcomes. Tai Chi is a safe, easy to learn, inexpensive, and low-intensity exercise with increasing popularity worldwide. If the intervention improves the quality of life in women with breast cancer, this study will build research capacity and increase awareness of the potential for Tai Chi to empower patients and engage them in self-management of breast cancer symptoms. Research findings will be disseminated to the public, health professionals, researchers, and healthcare providers through conference presentations, lay summaries, and peer-reviewed publications.
Publisher: Sciedu Press
Date: 21-06-2017
Abstract: Objective: The world-wide demand for skilled Registered Nurses is high, and understanding the reasons why Chinese students leave home to study nursing in Australia is important for institutions, policy makers, and nursing administrators in both China and Australia. This paper explores the factors shaping the decision of six Chinese students to study nursing in Australia and their preference to eventually live and work either in China or Australia.Methods: A three-dimensional space narrative structure approach was used for this study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with six Chinese nursing students whom were studying nursing at universities in Western Australia.Results: Findings revealed that the most important factor that influenced Chinese students’ decision to study nursing in Australia was the possibility for permanent residency.Conclusions: Insights gained from the study are important for a myriad of factors including international nursing relocation, developments in networking and healthcare, and capitalising in education from a global perspective.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-06-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0270212
Abstract: Quality of life (QoL), mental wellbeing, and physical function are often diminished among people with chronic disease. Tai Chi is a moderate form of exercise that may be effective in improving chronic disease management. This protocol paper outlines a trial to determine the therapeutic effects of a Tai Chi program on chronic disease management. This study will be a pilot, interventional, single-blind, two-armed, randomised, parallel, and controlled trial involving a 12-week Tai Chi program for Australian adults. Forty people aged 18 years and older, diagnosed with one or more chronic disease from general community will be recruited. All participants will be randomised to either a 12-week Tai Chi program or a waiting list control group. The Tai Chi program will involve 12 weeks of group Tai Chi sessions, with 45 minutes per session, twice a week. The primary outcome will be QoL as measured by mean scores on the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2) and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D). The secondary outcomes will include anxiety as measured by mean score on the generalised anxiety disorder 7 (GAD-7) survey depression as measured by mean score on the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) work productivity and activity assessment (WPAI:SHP) pain (if any) as measured by mean scores on the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ). These primary and secondary outcomes will be self-administered via two online assessments prior to (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Objective measures as additional secondary outcomes, will also be carried out by the research team including flexibility as measured by the finger to floor distance (FFD) obesity as measured by mean scores on body mass index (BMI) vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperate, and oxygen saturation) as measured by a blood pressure monitor, tympanic, and pulse oximetry device, and these outcomes will be measured at T0 and T1 in the ECU Holistic Health Research Clinic. People diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, their glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and fasting (before breakfast) blood glucose level (BGL) will also be measured via test kits at T0 and T1 in the clinic. Linear mixed modelling will be conducted to assess changes in outcomes. Statistical significance will be set at an alpha level of 0.05 with a medium effect size. All analyses will be conducted using R version 4.1. Qualitative data will be analysed using template thematic analysis. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Human Research Ethics Committee (2021-03042-WANG). Research findings will be disseminated to the public, health professionals, researchers, and healthcare providers through conference presentations, lay summaries, and peer-reviewed publications. This study will provide an updated evidence on a safe, sustainable, and inexpensive non-pharmacological approach in the management of chronic disease, the number one burden of disease in Australia. Trial registration number: ACTRN12622000042741p .
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 10-03-2022
DOI: 10.1155/2022/6406383
Abstract: Introduction. Acute pain is a prevalent problem for dementia residents in nursing homes. A variety of intervention strategies have been applied to address this problem. However, there remains an issue of inadequate pain control. This study aims to explore the analgesic efficacy of auricular acupressure (AA) for dementia residents with acute pain in nursing homes. Methods. A multicenter, single-blind, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial was performed in three nursing homes in Yinchuan, China. All of the 206 eligible patients with acute pain were randomly ided into two groups for real AA therapy or sham AA (at sham point stimulation) therapy. The primary outcome was measured with a face pain scale revised (FPS-R) score before the procedure, 5 min after the start of the intervention, and 5 min after finishing the procedure. Secondary outcomes covered three physiological parameters, adverse reactions observed, satisfaction level of caregivers, acceptance of patients, and additional use of analgesics. Results. There was a significant difference in pain scores based on FPS-R between the two groups ( p 0.01 ). Pain score in the true AA group was 1.84 ± 0.23, compared with 2.22 ± 0.81 in the sham AA group. No adverse events were found during the whole procedure for all patients. The satisfaction level of caregivers and acceptance of patients in the real AA group were significantly higher than those in the sham AA group. Conclusion. This study shows that real AA was an alternative analgesic modality in reducing acute pain in patients with mild dementia.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003719
Abstract: The review question is: what is the best available evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunct treatment for women with postnatal depression?
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-07-2016
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Date: 14-10-2020
Abstract: There is increasing evidence of the linkage between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and gut microbiota. Based on our previous studies, we investigated the hypoglycemic mechanisms of yam gruel to provide a scientific basis for its popularization and application. Wistar rats were randomly ided into control and T2DM model groups. Rats in the model group were stimulated by a high-sugar/high-fat diet combined with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce T2DM. The T2DM rats were further sub ided randomly into three groups: (1) DM, (2) DM + yam gruel, and (3) DM + metformin. After 4 weeks of intervention, the changes in gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid), the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and fasted blood glucose (FBG) levels were observed. Yam gruel intervention elevated the abundance of probiotic bacteria and increased the expression of SCFAs, GPR43 receptor, GLP-1, and PYY. It also reduced FBG levels. We conclude that yam gruel can lower FBG by promoting the growth of probiotic bacteria, increasing the content of SCFAs, and enhancing the expression of GPR43 receptor to increase the content of GLP-1 and PYY in serum.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1177/26323524211070569
Abstract: This study aimed to synthesise the best available evidence on the safety and efficacy of using moxibustion and/or acupuncture to manage cancer-related insomnia (CRI). The PRISMA framework guided the review. Nine databases were searched from its inception to July 2020, published in English or Chinese. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of moxibustion and or acupuncture for the treatment of CRI were selected for inclusion. Methodological quality was assessed using the method suggested by the Cochrane collaboration. The Cochrane Review Manager was used to conduct a meta-analysis. Fourteen RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Twelve RCTs used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score as continuous data and a meta-analysis showed positive effects of moxibustion and or acupuncture ( n = 997, mean difference (MD) = −1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −2.75 to −0.94, p 0.01). Five RCTs using continuous data and a meta-analysis in these studies also showed significant difference between two groups ( n = 358, risk ratio (RR) = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.26–0.80, I 2 = 39%). The meta-analyses demonstrated that moxibustion and or acupuncture showed a positive effect in managing CRI. Such modalities could be considered an add-on option in the current CRI management regimen.
Publisher: IMR Press
Date: 2020
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2021-057106
Abstract: Australian nurses have experienced higher levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the prepandemic. This may have affected their long-term mental health and intention to stay in the profession resulting in a workforce shortage, which further impacts the health of the public. Management is urgently required to improve nurses’ well-being. However, there is limited evidence available. The proposed clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effects of using a combination of light acupuncture and five-element music therapy to improve nurses’ mental health and well-being during and post-COVID-19. This randomised, single blinding, two-arm cross-over feasibility study involves a 1-week run-in period, 2-week intervention and 1-week run-in period in between interventions. Thirty-six eligible nurses will be recruited from the community and randomised into either a combination of light acupuncture treatment and five-element music therapy group or no treatment group for 2 weeks. After a 1-week run in period, they will be swapped to the different group. The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a combination of light acupuncture treatment and five-element music therapy to improve nurses’ mental health and well-being. The secondary outcomes will include anxiety and depression, work productivity and activity, and quality of life assessments. Participants will be asked to complete a set of online questionnaires throughout the trial period. All analyses will be performed in R Studio V.1.1.463. Ethical approval was attained from Edith Cowan University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (No. 2021–02728-WANG). Research findings will be shared with hospitals and in various forms to engage broader audiences, including national and international conferences, presentations, open-access peer-reviewed journal publications, and local community workshop dissemination with healthcare professionals. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000957897p www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621000957897p.aspx
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 07-2021
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1108/APJML-10-2020-0732
Abstract: This paper explores the role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a tourism recovery drawcard to boost China's inbound tourism after COVID-19. This paper employed a mixed method involving a cross-disciplinary literature review along with reflections from experts in TCM and health communication to inform tourism management. Specifically, this paper examines TCM and its potential benefits as a medical tourism drawcard to combat COVID-19. The selected literature focusses on the image and merits of TCM to frame how this medical philosophy can be used to position China as a tourist destination. Reflections on the use of TCM as a tourism marketing tool can guide promotional strategies from the Chinese government and destination managers during and after COVID-19. The Chinese government, the tourism industry (e.g. destination managers), the media and tourists must focus on three aspects of the role of TCM: to provide medical benefits to travellers amid COVID-19 and beyond, elevate China as a destination for global medical tourists and be leveraged as a tool for economic recovery. The paper builds a tourism recovery framework for stakeholders to adopt tailored TCM communication strategies to boost its inbound tourism programme. This paper is the first academic paper to review TCM comprehensively and critically in relation to China tourism and post-COVID-19 recovery measures.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 29-04-2020
DOI: 10.1155/2020/2591320
Abstract: Aim . The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and synthesize available evidence for the effects of somatic acupoint stimulation (SAS) on cancer-related sleep disturbance in adults with cancer. Methods . Nine databases and four clinical trial registries were searched from their inception to July 2019 to identify potential articles and registered trials. Two authors independently extracted data and appraised the methodological quality of the included studies. The included studies could not be subjected to meta-analysis due to the significant variations in SAS intervention protocols and outcome measurement instruments. This systematic review therefore reported the results of the included trials narratively. Results . Seven studies were identified, which involved 906 cancer patients. SAS protocols varied across trials without an optimal evidence-based standard intervention protocol to manage cancer-related sleep disturbance. Sanyinjiao (SP6) was the most commonly selected acupoint. Manual acupuncture was typically 15–30 min in duration and was conducted once a day or once a week for a period of 1–5 weeks, whereas self-administered acupressure was typically 1–3 min in duration per point and was conducted once a day, such as during night time before going to bed, for a period of 1–5 months. The results indicated that SAS could potentially relieve cancer-related sleep disturbance and improve quality of life. Mild adverse effects were reported in three of the included studies, but none of them performed a causality analysis to clarify the association between the reported adverse events and the intervention. Conclusions . This systematic review showed that SAS is a useful approach to relieving cancer-related sleep disturbance. However, research evidence on SAS for managing cancer-related sleep disturbance has not been fully conclusive due to the limited number of existing clinical studies with relatively small s le size and suboptimal methodological quality. Clinical trials with large s le size and robust methodology are warranted in future research.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 21-01-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0260846
Abstract: Shoulder and neck pain (SNP) is common in office workers and represents a serious public health problem given its detrimental impact on quality of life, physical functioning, personal finances, employers, and the health care system. Management with painkillers has adverse implications such as tolerance, addiction, and opioid abuse. Safe, sustainable, cost-effective, and evidence-based solutions are urgently needed. The non-invasive, painless, non-infectious, and safe modality of low-level laser acupuncture (LLLA) has shown promise for SNP management. The overarching aim of this study is to provide evidence of the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of LLLA for office workers with SNP. This is a pilot, single-blind, double-armed, randomised controlled trial on the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of a two-week LLLA therapy for office workers with SNP, aged 18 to 65 years. Each of the two study groups will contain 35 participants: the intervention group will receive LLLA from a licensed acupuncturist at the researchers’ university clinic (10–20 min/session, 3 sessions/week) for two weeks the control group will receive usual care without painkillers. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, throughout the two-week intervention, and at trial end. Surveys including open-ended questions will be completed. The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a two-week LLLA therapy for office workers with SNP, as measured by recruitment and completion rates, patient safety, and treatment adherence and compliance. Participants’ attitudes, motivation, and challenges to participation, intervention non-compliance, and experience of participating in the trial will be investigated via qualitative data. The secondary outcome is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of LLLA on SNP using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) the work productivity and activity assessment (WPAI:SHP) 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) for quality of life assessment and the past 3-month out-of-pocket (OOP) cost for prescription and non-prescription SNP therapy, which is an indicative of the economic burden of SNP on patients and health care systems. This study was approved by Edith Cowan University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (No. 2021-02225-WANG). Data collection will commence in December 2021 with anticipated completion by December 2022. Safe, sustainable, cost-effective, evidence-based interventions are needed to minimise the negative implications of SNP in office workers. LLLA is a promising modality in managing SNP. However, more consolidated evidence is required to provide insight regarding the effectiveness of LLLA. This study is expected to contribute to the challenging work of reducing the burden of SNP in office workers. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12621000426886p www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12621000426886p.aspx
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 21-05-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.IJNURSTU.2019.03.015
Abstract: To identify the rehabilitative effects of robot-assisted therapy on balance function among stroke patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Thirteen electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2018: Web of Science, PubMed, EMBase, The Cochrane Library, Science Direct, CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, SPORTDiscus, WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved for identifying the effects of robot-assisted therapy on balance function among stroke patients. Two authors independently searched databases, screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality and risk bias of each included study. A standardized protocol and data-collection form were used to extract information. Effect size was evaluated by mean difference with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Methodological quality and risk bias evaluation for each included study followed the quality appraisal criteria for randomized controlled trials that were recommended by Cochrane Handbook. Meta-analysis was conducted by utilizing Review Manager 5.3, a Cochrane Collaboration tool. Data was synthesized with descriptive analysis instead of meta-analysis where comparisons were not possible to be conducted with a meta-analysis. Thirty-one randomized controlled trials with a total of 1249 participants were included. The majority of the included studies contained some methodological flaws. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that robot-assisted therapy produced positive effects on balance function, as shown by an increase in the Berg balance scale score [random effects model, mean difference = 4.64, 95%CI = 3.22-6.06, P<0.01], as well as Fugl-Meyer balance scale scores [fixed effects model, mean difference = 3.57, 95%CI = 2.81-4.34, P<0.01]. After subgroup and sensitivity analyses, the positive effects were not influenced by different types of robotic devices, by whether robot-assisted therapy was combined with another intervention or not, or by differences in duration and intensity of intervention. Evidence in the present systematic review indicates that robot-assisted therapy may produce significantly positive improvements on balance function among stroke patients compared with those not using this method. More multi-center, high-quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials following the guidelines of CONSORT are necessary to generate high-quality evidence in further research.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 04-10-2017
DOI: 10.1111/ECC.12781
Abstract: Literature has documented personality and coping strategies as valuable intrapersonal resources for cancer adjustment among Caucasians. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether these personal characteristics operate in a similar manner among cancer patients of different ages and cultural backgrounds. This study examined the association between personality traits and affects, their underlying mechanism (i.e. coping strategies) and how these relations differed by age among Chinese cancer survivors, an understudied population. A s le of 234 Chinese cancer survivors in Beijing, China completed the five factor inventory, affect balance scale, ways of coping checklist and medical and demographic information. The results indicated that neuroticism was associated with negative affect, which was explained by avoidance coping strategies. Extraversion and neuroticism were associated with positive affect, and these associations were explained by approach coping strategies. Conditional process (i.e. moderated mediation) analyses demonstrated that conscientiousness was more strongly related to positive affect directly and indirectly through approach coping strategies among older survivors than among younger survivors. The findings highlight the importance of personality traits for emotional adjustment to breast cancer and the critical role of approach coping strategies in explaining the linkage of personality to positive affect for survivors of different age.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
No related grants have been discovered for Dr Carol Chunfeng Wang.