Dr. Ming-Hung Hsu Profile
Dr Hsu, Ming Hung
Senior Research Fellow
“The interventions now, they are all about that sustainability and prolonged affect”
Dr Ming-Hung Hsu is one of two clinical trial managers on the Homeside research study. He is involved in recruiting participants, and collecting data from dyads. After interest is shown from a potential dyad, Ming completes a baseline screening process with them. This involves explaining the study, obtaining consent from the dyad and checking their eligibility.
Ming discussed the training that clinical trial managers were given prior to assessing participants. They were provided with detailed manuals, and training videos. These established a consensus between the countries involved, as well as highlighting how to approach different situations they may encounter when carrying out the data collection.
After the baseline screening process has been completed, and the dyad is randomised, the clinical trial managers are blinded. This is to minimise any bias that could occur within the data collection. As part of the assessments, the clinical trial managers complete interviews with each dyad using different validated outcome measures. These outcomes include measuring quality of life and asking about symptoms for both the care giver and care recipient. The primary outcome is focused on symptoms.
Ming is a Chief Music Therapist at MHA Care Homes, having worked there for 12 years. I asked him about the different outcome measures that are used in settings that are caring for people with dementia. Ming detailed the use of MPI (Multidimensional Prognostic Index), which takes into account the frequency and severity of symptoms. There are different versions of this outcome measure that exist. Using outcome measures such as MPI allows researchers and clinicians to become aware of how symptoms have developed, in order to consider how best to support the patient. Another frequently used measure is the EuroQol instrument (EQ-5D-5L), which helps evaluate the cost effectiveness of an intervention. This measure is being used in the Homeside study and other research trials as it helps validate the findings for future interventions.
Having qualified as a music therapist from Anglia Ruskin University in 2010, Ming then went on to complete his PhD in 2018 which was funded by MHA care homes. Titled: Individual music therapy for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia care homes, Ming and other researchers were wanting to undertake a research project that would establish the effectiveness of the service that was being provided by MHA. It was suggested by Helen Odell-Miller that the project could formulate a PhD. Ming highlighted how his PhD findings are relevant to the Homeside study. “It’s really about how we can find a way of reducing the symptoms but also provide care staff in care homes with […] different strategies and protocols to manage the symptoms when they appear […] and that’s kind of the same as Homeside in the community.” There is a need for more support to be given during the period in between the diagnosis and eventually going into institutional care. This is why Homeside is such an important and valuable research study.
Ming further explained how Homeside as a research model is demonstrating the sustainability of music therapy. Its impact is being extended beyond direct intervention, into the care recipients home, aiming to support and improve the quality of life of both the care recipient and care giver. A principle purpose of the interventions is to embed them into the participants day to day activities and to be enjoyable. Acknowledging the importance of identifying symptomatic outcomes, can inform the intervention program that is designed for each dyad. Ming defined the purpose of symptomatic attention very clearly. “You have to find out what they really need, certain aspects and then you design the intervention, deliver the treatment, but also then provide a strategy to meet their needs.” The importance of human to human interaction is essential, in order to identify the specific needs of a care recipient and care giver.