Distinguished Guests and Colleagues,
Good afternoon. Welcome to the Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 of the Hong Kong Association of Rehabilitation Medicine. Welcome all faculty members and delegates of the meeting, which composed of doctors from different specialists, nursing, and allied health colleagues from both public and private sectors.
The theme of today’s meeting is “Integrating technology and Human Touch in Rehabilitation Medicine”. We are honoured to have the Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association & Hong Kong Rehabilitation Nursing Society as our co-organizers and the Federation of Medical Societies of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology and the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association as our supporting organizations.
Rehabilitation medicine plays a critical role in helping individuals overcome physical challenges and achieve maximum potential. With the emphasis on holistic approach, personalization of training plans, use of assistive equipment and technologies, education and self-management, rehabilitation is beneficial in helping patients to regain independence and to reintegrate into community.
The scientific program this year embraces a wide range of topics in rehabilitation medicine, including the advances in disease management and technology application in pulmonary, neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. We are extremely honoured to have both international and local experts to share with us the latest clinical and technological knowledge and skills through a series of lectures and workshops. Through the education opportunities, we hope that you find the topics stimulating and interesting and will be beneficial to your clinical practice.
While technology and artificial intelligence is changing the landscape in rehabilitation medicine, addressing to patients’ needs and personalizing their treating plans remain the mission of rehabilitation community.
Dr Lam Siu Pui
Chairman of Organizing Committee
Annual Scientific Meeting 2025
HKARM
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
Workshop: Neurostimulation techniques (TMS)
Chairpersons: Dr. Eric Yeung, Dr. Gina Fong
09:00 – 10:00
Prof. Nam-Jong Paik, Seoul National University Korea
President-Elect, World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation
10:00 – 10:15
Tea break
10:15 - 11:45
Practical Sessions of TMS
MAIN SYMPOSIUM:
Registration starts at 12 noon
SESSION ONE:
12:00 – 13:25
Lunch Symposium: What’s new in managing Chronic Lung Diseases
Chairpersons: Dr. SP Lam, Dr. Yukie Tse
The personalized management approach for COPD care – a pulmonologist’s perspective
Dr. Chan Yu Hong John, Hong Kong
13:25 – 13:30
Welcome Message
Dr. SP Lam, President HKARM
SESSION TWO:
Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Chairpersons: Dr. Sophia Teng, Dr. Polly Chan
13:30 – 13:55
Updates on Sarcopenia: reviews on current evidence and emerging treatments
Dr. Leung Hin Cheung Charles, Hong Kong
13:55 – 14:20
Nutritional management of Sarcopenia
Ms. Poon Shi Po Sally, Registered Dietitian (UK)
14:20 – 14:45
Update management of Rheumatological Diseases
Prof. So Ho, Chinese University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
14:45 – 15:00
Tea Break
SESSION THREE:
Technological Advances in Rehabilitation Medicine
Chairpersons: Prof. Leonard Li, Dr. C Kok
15:00 – 15:40
An Overview of the present and future applications of technology in Rehabilitation Medicine
Prof Jianan Li, Nanjing University, China
15:40 – 16:10
Prof. Nam-Jong Paik, Seoul National University Korea
President-Elect, World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation
16:10 – 16:40
BCI with XoMuscle for Stroke Rehabilitation
Prof. Raymond Tong, Chinese University Hong Kong, Hong Kong
16:40 – 16:50
Q&A and Round table discussion
16:50 – 17:00
Closing Remarks
President:
Dr. Lam Siu Pui
Vice-President:
Dr. Fong Ching Han Gina
Honorary Secretary:
Dr. Teng Kar Yee Sophia
Honorary Treasurer:
Dr. Chan Po Yi Polly
Immediate Past President:
Dr. Kwok Tsz Kin
Council Members:
Dr. Cheng Hon Kuen Thomas
Dr. Chow Siu Lun Eddie
Dr. Ho Tze Kwan Carmen
Dr. Kok Ching
Dr. Kwok Tsz Kin
Dr. Tse Pui Man Yukie
Dr. Yeung Man Pun Eric
Dr. Yuen Ka Hong
Co-opted Members:
Dr. Lau Chung Wai
Dr. Leung Hin Cheung Charles
Dr. Yeung Pui Yu
Professor Jianan Li
Professor, College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, China cum President of AOCPRM
Professor Leonard S W Li
Honorary Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong
Specialist in Neurology, Virtus Neurological Rehabilitation Centre
Professor Nam-Jong Paik, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea cum President-Elect, World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation
Dr. Chan Po Yi Polly
Specialist in Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tung Wah Hospital
Dr. Chan Yu Hong John
Specialist in Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital
Dr. Fong Ching Han Gina
Specialist in Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital
Dr. Fanny Ko
Honorary Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Specialist in Respiratory Medicine
Dr. Kok Ching
Specialist in Internal Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation & Extended Care, TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital
Dr. Lam Siu Pui
Specialist in Respiratory Medicine, Pedder Health cum President of HKARM
Dr. Leung Hin Cheung Charles
Specialist in Geriatric Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital
Ms. Poon Shi Po Sally
Registered Dietitian (UK), Accredited Practising Dietitian (Australia)
Professor So Ho
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Specialist in Rheumatology
Dr. Teng Kar Yee Sophia
Specialist in Rheumatology, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital
Professor Raymond Tong
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr. Tse Pui Man Yukie
Specialist in Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital
Dr. Yeung Man Pun Eric
Specialist in Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital
The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians: 5
The Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons: 5
Hong Kong College of Physicians: 7
Hong Kong College of Radiologists: 7
Medical Council of Hong Kong: 5
Continuing Nursing Education: 3.5
Hong Kong Dietitians Association: 0.5 core + 4.5 non-core
Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association: Workshop: 3, Symposium: 5
Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists: 3.5
Occupational Therapists Board: Workshop: 1.5, Symposium: 2.5
Clinical Application of TMS in Neurological Disorders
Prof. Nam-Jong Paik, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea cum
President-Elect, World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is now recognized as an effective therapeutic option for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. This workshop will focus on the clinical applications of repetitive TMS (rTMS), highlighting FDA-approved and guideline-based indications. Evidence will be presented for post-stroke motor recovery, language rehabilitation, neglect, dysphagia, and the management of spasticity and pain. Psychiatric applications such as treatment-resistant depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, supported by large-scale trials and regulatory approvals, will also be discussed. Participants will gain practical insights into stimulation protocols—including high- and low-frequency rTMS and theta burst stimulation—and learn how these approaches can modulate cortical excitability and promote neuroplasticity. Future directions, including precision neuromodulation and tele-neuromodulation platforms, will be introduced as promising avenues to expand access and enhance treatment efficacy.
Practicing in GINA 2025 Updates
Dr. Fanny Ko
Honorary Clinical Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Specialist in Respiratory Medicine
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2025 updates to the Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention integrate recent scientific evidence to enhance personalised, evidence-based care, with a strong emphasis on making inhaled treatments accessible for all patients, as highlighted in the World Asthma Day 2025 theme. This lecture focuses on the practical implementation of these updates in clinical practice, equipping healthcare providers with tools to optimise asthma diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.
Key revisions include an expanded appendix on Type 2 inflammation biomarkers, such as blood eosinophil counts and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), which guide diagnosis, risk assessment, and therapy selection when interpreted in a clinical context. Treatment strategies retain the two-track approach, prioritising Track 1 with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-formoterol as both maintenance and reliever therapy to minimise severe exacerbations and corticosteroid exposure compared to short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)-only regimens. Track 2 adjustments limit Step 4 to medium-dose ICS-long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) to reduce ICS-related risks. New guidance addresses the impacts of climate change, including the exacerbation of asthma through direct effects and healthcare disruptions, and urges the integration of environmental counselling.
Practical tools, such as revised inhaler choice diagrams, asthma action plan tables, and severe asthma decision trees, facilitate shared decision-making and medication adjustments. Overcoming implementation barriers, such as access inequities and biomarker availability, fosters proactive management that aligns population-level evidence with individual needs, which is crucial for improving asthma patient care. By adopting GINA 2025 practices, clinicians can reduce morbidity, enhance adherence, and promote equitable asthma control globally.
The Personalized Management Approach for COPD Care – a pulmonologist’s perspective
Dr. Chan Yu Hong John
Specialist in Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine & Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is recognized as a significant global health challenge, often characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Despite advancements in treatment, unmet needs in patient care are frequently experienced, leading to exacerbations and decreased quality of life. This lecture will explore the personalized management approach for COPD, with an emphasis placed on the importance of tailoring treatment plans to individual patient profiles. From a pulmonologist's perspective, the unique characteristics of each patient—including comorbidities, symptom severity, and response to previous therapies—are crucial for effective management.
The role of triple therapy (ICS/ LABA/ LAMA), such as the combination of formoterol, glycopyrronium, and budesonide, will be discussed. The appropriate choice of drug treatment not only improves symptoms but also reduces mortality. Non-drug treatment, in particular smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, are equally important. A multidisciplinary team management is suggested. In this session, we shall explore the importance of personalized management strategies, ultimately fostering better patient adherence and satisfaction in COPD care.
Updates on Sarcopenia: Reviews on Current Evidence and Emerging Treatments
Dr. Leung Hin Cheung Charles
Specialist in Geriatric Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation, Kowloon Hospital
Sarcopenia, an age-related progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, presents a significant and growing challenge in rehabilitation medicine, impacting mobility, functional independence, and quality of life. This talk provides a comprehensive update on the evolving landscape of sarcopenia diagnosis and management for a multidisciplinary audience of clinicians and therapists.
We will first review the latest international diagnostic consensus, which emphasizes the primacy of muscle function and strength for clinical diagnosis. This shift is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals early. While DXA remains a valuable tool for assessing muscle mass, the advantages of non-invasive and accessible technologies are increasingly recognized. We will discuss the potential of portable ultrasound and established methods like hand grip dynamometry and gait speed assessment for widespread, rapid screening and their high predictive value for clinical outcomes, making them essential for a patient-centered approach.
The core of effective sarcopenia management is a truly integrated, multidisciplinary approach. The presentation will detail how rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists, dietitians, nurses, and occupational therapists synergistically contribute to care. This includes collaborative patient assessment, the joint development of personalized exercise and nutritional prescriptions, and coordinating strategies for education and activity adaptation. This collaborative model ensures comprehensive and tailored care. We will also explore the burgeoning field of pharmacological intervention, discussing the potential impact and current status of novel agents.
Nutritional Management of Sarcopenia
Ms. Poon Shi Po Sally
Registered Dietitian (UK), Accredited Practising Dietitian (Australia)
Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, is closely associated with disability, institutionalisation, hospitalisation, and mortality. Its progression is driven not only by ageing but also by chronic disease, inflammatory stress, and anabolic resistance, which diminish the muscle’s ability to utilise dietary protein effectively.
Exercise—particularly resistance training—remains the most efficient intervention to preserve muscle function. Nutrition is equally important. Adequate energy and protein intake are essential for maintaining muscle, yet many older adults fall short due to appetite loss, illness, or reduced functional capacity.
Vitamin D deficiency should also be corrected. While not a stand-alone treatment, maintaining sufficient 25(OH)D levels alongside adequate protein enables older adults with sarcopenia to respond more effectively to nutrition-based interventions.
A further challenge is sarcopenic obesity, a condition in which skeletal muscle mass is insufficient relative to excess adipose tissue. Recommended management combines moderate energy restriction with higher protein intake and exercise, including both resistance and endurance training, to reduce fat mass while preserving muscle.
This session will present practical, evidence-based dietary strategies to support muscle health in ageing, with emphasis on optimising protein intake, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and managing sarcopenic obesity in clinical practice.
Update Management of Rheumatological Diseases
Prof. So Ho
Assistant Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Specialist in Rheumatology
Substantial improvements in our understanding of the pathogenesis of rheumatological diseases have led to the development of new therapeutic agents, including biologics and targeted synthetic drugs. In conjunction with these advances in therapies, the evolution of treatment strategies has also contributed to better patient outcomes. Key advances include an enhanced emphasis on early treatment, the development of new disease activity measures, the formulation of treat-to-target principles, and increased attention to comorbidities. This talk will summarize recent updates in the management of common rheumatological diseases, including medications and treatment strategies. The latest international treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus will also be introduced.
An Overview of the Present and Future Applications of Technology in Rehabilitation Medicine
Prof. Jianan Li, MD
Professor, College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, China
cum President of AOCPRM
This presentation is a summarizing current techniques of rehabilitation intervention:
Physical modalities: electrical stimulation, heat, cold, ultrasound, lights, magnetics, hydrotherapy.
Exercise modality: aerobic training, resistance training, stretching training, balance training, posture correction, walking, breathing training.
Manipulation: joint mobility, soft tissue manipulation, massage,
Occupational training: ADL training, transfer, perception and cognition training,
Speech training and Swallowing training.
Traditional Chinese intervention.
Virtual reality training
Robotics application for mobility, communication and assistive living.
Nursing techniques for rehabilitation.
Mental and psycho interventions for rehabilitation.
Orthosis, prosthesis and assistive technology for rehabilitation.
Neuro-modulation techniques: rTMS, TDCs
Biofeedback therapy for rehabilitation.
Special education for the disabled children and adults.
Combination of clinical and rehabilitative interventions: pain management, neurogenic bladders, intensive care, amputation, organ transplantation, bacteria transplantation.
Future techniques in rehabilitation:
Artificial intelligence and bigdata.
Rehabilitation robotics.
Brain-machine interface
Tissue engineering, Cellular engineering and gene engineering
3-D printing
Autonomous driving technology
Large language model and Hybrid agent
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Wearable devices for monitoring and intervention
Computer Vision and analyzation
Smart documentation
Smart robotics and assistive devices.
Tele-Rehabilitation & Remote Monitoring
Immersive & Engaging Therapy
Predictive Analytics & Prognosis
Technologies Powering AI in Rehabilitation
Summary: AI will reshape rehabilitation. Exploration beyond of science is essential
Brain Plasticity and Effective Therapeutic Strategies to Enhance Function and Learning Ability in Stroke Patients
Prof. Nam-Jong Paik, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea cum
President-Elect, World Federation for Neuro-Rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation has been revolutionized by advances in our understanding of brain plasticity, the key driver of recovery and learning. This lecture will discuss how mechanisms of neural reorganization can be harnessed through evidence-based therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in stroke patients. Pharmacological agents, non-invasive brain stimulation, robotics, and virtual reality interventions have all shown potential to facilitate adaptive plasticity. Precision approaches integrating neuroimaging, biomarkers, and digital health allow personalization of therapy, while wearable devices and telerehabilitation extend access to care beyond hospital settings. Artificial intelligence further enables data-driven monitoring and adaptive treatment planning. By combining pharmacologic, neuromodulatory, technological, and digital innovations within a patient-centered, multidisciplinary framework, stroke rehabilitation can more effectively enhance both function and learning ability. Leveraging neuroplasticity through integrative strategies opens new possibilities to improve recovery trajectories and quality of life for stroke survivors.
BCI with XoMuscle for Stroke Rehabilitation
Prof. Raymond Tong, PhD
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with hand motor impairment being one of the most persistent challenges in post-stroke rehabilitation. To address this, researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have developed an innovative soft wearable robotic hand system that integrates Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and electromyography (EMG) technologies to facilitate intention-driven rehabilitation. This system harnesses the patient’s own brainwave (EEG) and/or muscle activity signals to initiate functional hand movements, promoting neuroplasticity and motor relearning through active engagement. We recently develop XoBrace and XoMuscle to cover different part of body.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the system’s efficacy, particularly among patients with chronic hand paralysis, showing significant improvements in motor recovery. The device’s soft, lightweight design ensures comfort and adaptability, making it suitable for both clinical and home-based rehabilitation settings.
The Organizing Committee would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the following sponsors for their support to the Annual Scientific Meeting 2025
Platinum Sponsor
AstraZeneca Hong Kong Limited
Allergen Hong Kong Limited
Amgen Hong Kong Limited
Healthlink Holdings Limited