Chong Ho Yu.
HPU Professor and Program Director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Chong Ho "Alex" Yu, Ph.D., is making waves in the world of cognitive health research. His latest co-authored , published in the journal Healthcare, titled “Mindfulness meditation for sleep disturbances among individuals with cognitive impairment: A scoping review,” explores the power of mindfulness meditation in improving sleep for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
With dementia on the rise worldwide, finding effective, non-pharmacological interventions is more critical than ever. Yu and his fellow researchers, collaborating with teams from the Å·ÃÀAƬ of the West of England and the Å·ÃÀAƬ of Bristol, combed through two decades of studies to understand how mindfulness meditation could ease sleep disturbances in people with cognitive decline. After analyzing hundreds of studies, they found strong evidence that structured mindfulness programs—especially those combining guided sessions with home practice—can significantly improve sleep quality and emotional well-being.
The study highlights that mindfulness meditation can reduce insomnia severity and promote relaxation, which may, in turn, slow cognitive decline. The most effective programs combined structured in-person training with regular at-home practice, reinforcing the habit of mindfulness over time. However, the authors also acknowledge limitations in the current research, such as small sample sizes and the reliance on self-reported data. They emphasize the need for further rigorous, long-term studies to better understand the full potential of mindfulness interventions in cognitive health.
“Mindfulness meditation is more than just a wellness trend—it has real potential to help those struggling with cognitive impairment,” said Yu. “Our findings highlight the importance of integrating data-driven research into alternative therapies that could offer practical benefits for individuals and caregivers alike.”
Yu, who joined HPU’s College of Natural and Computational Sciences in 2021, brings a unique blend of expertise in data science, research methodology, and psychometrics. His work spans multiple disciplines, applying sophisticated analytical techniques to real-world problems in healthcare, education, and psychology.
The medical community looks for innovative ways to support aging populations and studies like Yu’s pave the way for fresh approaches for treatment. The research in this article suggests that mindfulness could be a cost-effective, scalable tool to improve sleep and cognitive health, potentially reducing reliance on medication and easing the burden on caregivers.
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