Self-administered Acupressure for Depression

Self-administered Acupressure for Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the effects of self-administered acupressure intervention for alleviating depressive symptoms among people with depression. It is hypothesized that the self-administered acupressure group would have a great improvement in depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire compared with the mental health education group across the 12-week intervention period.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is the self-administered acupressure intervention more effective for alleviating depression and other related outcomes compared to the mental health education group among depressed individuals?
• Is the self-administered acupressure intervention acceptable and feasible for depressed individuals to alleviate depression? Participants will be randomized into self-administered acupressure group or mental health education group based on the group allocation with a 1:1 ratio. Participants will attend two weekly 120-min self-administered acupressure training or mental health education, respectively.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Hong Kong residents aged 18 to 65
2. Can communicate in Cantonese and comprehend written Chinese
3. Have moderate or above-level depression as measured by the PHQ-9 with a score of 10 or above
4. Willing to give informed consent and comply with the trial protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have the PHQ score of 20 or above (referral information to community psychological services will be provided)
2. New onset or change of antidepressant medication or dosage in the last 3 months
3. Previous or current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder as screened using the Chinese version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
4. Have cognitive impairment diagnosed by the Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment with a score < 22
5. Skin lesions or infections at the treatment sites
6. Significant suicidal risk as rated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale item on suicide (score ≥3)
7. Pregnant or childbearing potential but not using adequate contraception
8. With any major medical condition that causes depression based on the judgement of a psychiatrist.