Medical-social collaboration to reduce depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults awaiting psychiatric care.
Evaluation Study of Medical-Social Collaboration Model for Middle-aged and Older Adults With Depressive Symptoms
We will test whether a medical-social collaboration program offering CBT-based stepped care helps middle-aged and older adults with mild depressive symptoms who are waiting for their first psychiatric appointment, compared with a self-management booklet.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 192 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07064551 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults on the Hospital Authority psychiatric waiting list with at least mild depressive symptoms are randomized to either a medical-social collaboration model delivering CBT-based stepped-care interventions or to a self-management booklet. The collaborative arm uses integrated health and social care teams to deliver stepped CBT support and monitor progress, while the control arm relies on self-directed materials. Participants complete mental health and service-use surveys every three months until their first psychiatric appointment, and the study tracks secondary outcomes including anxiety, loneliness, rumination, self-criticism, self-reassurance, resilience, self-efficacy, quality-adjusted life years, and healthcare utilization. The trial compares symptom change and service use between the two approaches during the waiting period for specialist care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are middle-aged or older adults in Hong Kong who are on the Hospital Authority waiting list for their first psychiatric appointment, have at least mild depressive symptoms, and can provide informed consent.
Not a fit: People with known bipolar disorder, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, dementia, Parkinson's disease, imminent suicidal risk, communication barriers, or those already receiving psychiatric care are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms, improve resilience and quality of life, and lower healthcare use for people waiting for specialist psychiatric care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous collaborative care and stepped-CBT programs for mild-to-moderate depression have shown benefit in other settings, though combining formal medical-social collaboration specifically for patients awaiting psychiatric appointments has been less extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Currently awaiting psychiatric services provided by the Hospital Authority * Have depressive symptoms of at least mild severity * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * A known history of autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, or dementia * Imminent suicidal risk (temporary exclusion) * Communication difficulties that preclude participation
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- The University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Terry YS Lum, PhD — The University of Hong Kong
- Study coordinator: Yao Du, PhD
- Email: yaodu@hku.hk
- Phone: 852-39175594
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.