Dr. Danny Yu received his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, in August 2022 and completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in March 2024.

His research focuses on developing and evaluating novel interventions for sleep and mental disorders, drawing on traditional Chinese medicine, exercise science, and psychotherapy. Dr. Yu possesses extensive expertise in conducting a range of rigorous research methodologies, including randomized controlled trial, epidemiological study, systematic review, and meta-analysis. Dr. Yu also actively organizes and participates in community events and knowledge-transfer activities to promote healthy sleep and mental well-being. His work has led to multiple publications in top-tier journals, including The BMJ, the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, British Journal of Sports Medicine, and more.

Research Focus (1) Exercise & sleep health

Parco M. Siu^# (PhD supervisor), Danny J. Yu^# (Co-first author), Angus P. Yu^#, Shirley X. Li, Rachel N.Y. Chan, Daniel Y. Fong, Derwin K.C. Chan, Stanley S. Hui, Ka Fai Chung, Jean Woo, Chenchen Wang, Michael R. Irwin. Tai Chi or CBT-I for Treating Insomnia in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial. (The BMJ, 2025;391:e084320. [IF₂₀₂₄=42.7; 5-year IF=76.1])

This randomized non-inferiority trial comparing the effects of Tai Chi and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on chronic insomnia in middle-aged and older adults found that the efficacy of the Tai Chi intervention was non-inferior to CBT-I at the 12-month post-intervention follow-up, but not after the 3-month intervention. These results support the use of Tai Chi for the long-term management of chronic insomnia in middle-aged and older adults.

Research Focus (2) Chinese medicine & mental health

Hiu To Tang, Qiang Zong, Haoming Fang, Ran Wang, Albert Yeung, Danny J. Yu* (co-corresponding author), Zhaoxiang Bian*. Transdiagnostic Effects of a Chinese Herbal Formula DEP-2306 on Improving Sleep and Mood in Adults with Depressive Episode with Insufficient Symptoms: A Real-World Study. Stress & Health; 41(5), e70104. (IF=2.7)

This study showed that a 4‐week DEP‐2306 intervention was associated with concurrent improvements in measures of depression, anxiety, and sleep, suggesting a potential trans- diagnostic association in Depressive Episode with Insufficient Symptoms (DEIS). The benefits were especially pronounced in participants with milder sleep disturbances and those exhibiting attitudinal barriers.

Research Focus (3) Chinese medicine & sleep health

Yan Ling Kwok, Ran Wang, Hiu To Tang, Si Yu Chen, Albert Yeung, Zhaoxiang Bian*, Danny J. Yu*. Exploring the potential transdiagnostic treatment effects of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture on insomnia disorder comorbid with chronic pain: A scoping review. Integrative Medicine Research, 2025;14(4):101208. (IF=3.0)

This scoping review highlights the transdiagnostic therapeutic potential of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for insomnia and pain management. We observed medium-to-large effect sizes, indicating that these interventions achieve superior outcomes compared with polypharmacy and treatment as usual.

Research Focus (4) Acupuncture & cognitive health

Conventional treatments for Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), such as cholinesterase inhibitors and emerging anti-amyloid immunotherapies, often fall short in slowing cognitive decline. Electroacupuncture (EA) has shown promise in enhancing cognitive function and delaying neurodegeneration, but high-quality trials evaluating its efficacy in aMCI are limited. I am leading a clinical trial to assess the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of EA in improving cognitive function in older adults with aMCI.

Research Focus (5) Rest-activity rhythm & health

Measured by wearable devices, rest-activity rhythm (RAR) captures an individual’s daily activity profile including physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. Evidence shows that disrupted RAR is linked to a wide range of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and depression. My team and I are particularly interested in examining the relationship between RAR and mortality.

Sleep health; Mental wellebing; Chinese medicine; Exercise & Physical activity; CBT-I; Randomized controlled trials; Meta-analysis.