TCM Health Preservation for Depression

Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation Intervention for Depression: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) health preservation for depression on depressive symptoms reduction and other health-related outcomes among Hong Kong Chinese adults with depression. Participants in intervention group will receive TCM health preservation course for six weeks (6 sessions, 2 hours each) and practice TCM health preservation during the 6-week follow-up period. Participants in the control group (waitlist control) will receive usual care. After the follow-up assessment, TCM health preservation courses for depression will be provided to them for compensation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hong Kong Chinese adults aged 18-years-old to 65-years-old;
• diagnosed with moderate level of depression (a score of 10~20), evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9);
• can communicate in spoken Cantonese and written Chinese;
• willing to provide written informed consent and be able to adhere to the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• being pregnant or during the lactation, or plan to get pregnant;
• new onset or change of antidepressant medication or dosage in the last 3 months;
• PHQ-9 score≥20, meaning a severe level of depression;
• with a previous or present diagnosis of psychotic disorders as screened by the Chinese version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV;
• the score of Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment less than 22;
• significant suicidal risk as rated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale item on suicide (score ≥3);
• with diagnosis of illness which can interfere the individuals to participate or adhere to the modified lifestyle;
• with diagnosis of medical conditions, which are not suitable to modify diet or do physical activities recommended by physicians;
• joining in another clinical trial during the study period;
• with any major medical condition that causes depression based on the judgement of the investigator.