Can a social Worker-Led program ease depression while patients wait for psychiatric care?

NCT ID NCT07064551

First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a medical-social collaboration model—where trained clinical social workers deliver CBT-based stepped-care interventions—can reduce depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults awaiting their first psychiatric appointment. Participants receive either the stepped-care intervention or a self-management booklet. The study tracks changes in depression, anxiety, loneliness, and other mental health outcomes every three months until their psychiatric visit.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Cognitive behavioural therapy-based stepped-care intervention
What this could lead to
If effective, this model could provide a practical, scalable way to support older adults with depression while they wait for psychiatric care, reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.
What could go wrong
This is a relatively small trial (192 participants) testing a behavioral intervention, so results may not generalize widely. The intervention depends on trained social workers, which may limit reproducibility in other settings.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • The University of Hong Kong

    RECRUITING

    Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Contact

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

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