Actively Recruiting
Effects of Smoking on Network Connectivity in Patients With Schizophrenia Symptoms in Scz Patients
Led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Updated on 2026-03-02
90
Participants Needed
5
Research Sites
165 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
T
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Lead Sponsor
C
Christian Family Service Centre
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The prevalence of smoking among people with schizophrenia (SCZ) is substantially higher at 54% to 90% (McClave et al., 2010). About half of all deaths amongst people with scz are attributed to smoking-related diseases and cancer involving the lung, the cardiovascular system, and the liver (Kely et al., 2011; WHO, 2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is effective for treating psychotic symptoms and addictive behaviours. In a local randomised controlled trial comparing individual ACT to social support for smoking cessation in adult scz smokers, the self-reported quit rates in ACT group were higher than in the social support group (6 months: 12.3% vs. 7.7%, p=0.56 ; 12 months: 10.8% vs. 7.7%, p=0.76; Mak, Loke, and Leung, 2021). In this study, functional neuroimaging (fMRI) will be combined with symptoms assessment in order to ascertain whether group-based ACT is effective in modifying the brain's responses in general and specifically to tobacco craving cues and resting-state functional connectivity in three time points (pre-, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up) among people with schizophrenia.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Effects of Smoking on Network Connectivity in Patients With Schizophrenia Symptoms in Scz Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Individuals who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and after at least one-year followup;
- currently taking anti-psychotic medications for ≥ 3 months with good compliance;
- aged 18 years or above;
- able to communicate in Cantonese
You will not qualify if you...
- Have any other current or past psychotic disorders;
- with fleeting or actual suicidal/self-harm ideations, or acting-out behavior in the past;
- with a known history of violence/aggression and a forensic history
- Categorized with special care or intensive care (e.g., arson, battery, physical assault, rape, murder, etc.)
- Have a lifetime history of substance abuse and/or are currently receiving treatment for substance abuse (e.g., opioids, cocaine, marijuana, or stimulants);
- With alcohol consumption exceeding 25 standard drinks/week for men and 20 standard drinks/week for women over the last 6 months;
- Have received a diagnosis of alcohol or drug dependence in the year preceding recruitment;
- Are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning a pregnancy for the duration of the study;
- Have a history or current diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);
- Have a history of epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
- Experience disorientation, have developmental disabilities, and/or an organic mental disorder;
- fMRI-related exclusion criteria promulgated by University Research Facility in Behavioural and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), PolyU
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 5 locations
1
Lok Hong Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
2
Mental Health and Development, Christian Family Service Centre
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
3
Out-patient Clinic (Psy), Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
4
The Mental Health Association of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
5
The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Y
Yim Wah Mak
CONTACT
X
Xuelin Zhang, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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