Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 18Years +
All Genders
ID07441928

Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Assess Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Smoking Cessation and Psychotic Symptoms in Schizophrenia

Led by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Updated on 2026-03-02

90

Participants Needed

5

Research Sites

N/A

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

People with schizophrenia often have high rates of smoking, which contributes to many health problems including lung and heart diseases. This research evaluates whether Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a group-based therapy, can help change brain responses related to tobacco cravings and reduce psychotic symptoms. The study uses brain scans (fMRI) and symptom assessments to understand these effects before treatment, after treatment, and six months later. Participants include 60 smokers with schizophrenia who are not currently in other smoking cessation programs, randomly assigned to either group-based ACT sessions or a usual care smoking cessation program called the 5A model. Another 30 non-smokers with schizophrenia will serve as a control group. The ACT group attends eight face-to-face sessions over four weeks, while the 5A group receives a similar duration intervention based on counseling steps. During the study, researchers will collect brain imaging data and measure smoking cessation success, psychiatric symptoms, nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, psychological flexibility, and medication use at three time points: before treatment, after treatment, and six months after treatment. The main outcomes include biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence and changes in psychiatric symptoms and brain activity. The total study duration spans from baseline through six months post-intervention.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Effects of Smoking on Network Connectivity in Patients With Schizophrenia Symptoms in Scz Patients

Who Can Participate

Age: 18Years +
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and followed for at least one year
  • Currently taking antipsychotic medications with good compliance for at least 3 months
  • Aged 18 years or above
  • Able to communicate in Cantonese
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Have other current or past psychotic disorders
  • History of suicidal or self-harm thoughts or behaviors
  • History of violence, aggression, or forensic issues
  • Require special or intensive care due to severe behaviors
  • History or current treatment for substance abuse (e.g., opioids, cocaine, marijuana, stimulants)
  • Alcohol use exceeding 25 drinks/week for men or 20 drinks/week for women in last 6 months
  • Diagnosed with alcohol or drug dependence within the past year
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study
  • History or current diagnosis of ADHD
  • History of epilepsy or seizure disorders
  • Experience disorientation, developmental disabilities, or organic mental disorders
  • Meet functional MRI safety exclusion criteria set by the research facility

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Duration - 4 weeks

Participants who smoke will receive one of two smoking cessation interventions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT-SC) involving eight group sessions over four weeks, or a 5A model smoking cessation program with equivalent duration and attention. Participants who do not smoke will not receive an intervention.

Twice weekly group sessions for 8 sessions total (1.5 hours each) for ACT-SC; similar schedule for 5A-SC

Follow-up

Duration - 6 months

Participants will be followed for 6 months after the intervention to assess smoking abstinence, psychiatric symptoms, and brain function using fMRI.

3 visits including post-intervention and 6-month follow-up assessments with fMRI and clinical evaluations

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

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Research Team

Y

Yim Wah Mak

X

Xuelin Zhang, PhD

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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Published Research Related To This Trial

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy versus Social Support for Smoking Cessation for People with Schizophrenia: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Yim-Wah Mak, Alice-Yuen Loke, Doris Y P Leung

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34640321