The Effectiveness of a One-stop Electronic Clinic for Psychological Service (eClinic) in Hong Kong

NCT07597967 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2022.106
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 420
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

With an increasing need for effective and accessible mental health services, telepsychology can be one promising solution to narrowing the gap between demand and supply. Our one-stop electronic clinic of psychological service (eClinic) aims to deliver evidence-based treatments to individuals with moderate to severe emotional disorders of various kinds in Hong Kong. This study examines the cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a hybrid model of telepsychology, in which contact with therapists focuses on facilitating service users' self-learning based on our online interactive modules. Results will shed light on the benefits of telepsychology to promoting access to mental health services in Hong Kong.

Conditions

Anxiety; Depression / Major Depressive Disorder; Common Mental Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

  The PHQ-9 measures the presence of depressive symptoms in the recent two weeks. The scale measures the nine diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder on a scale from 0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV). Total score on the PHQ-9 ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating higher distress.

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

  The GAD-7 assesses Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms in the recent two weeks. It consists of 7 items, each rated on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 = not at all to 3 = nearly every day. Total score on the GAD-7 ranges from 0 to 21. A higher GAD-7 score indicates more severe impairment related to GAD symptoms.

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ)

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 3- and 12-month follow-up

• Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16)

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 3- and 12-month follow-up

• Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest)

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 3- and 12-month follow-up

• Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI)

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 3- and 12-month follow-up

• Gratitude Questionnaire-5 (GQ-5)

  Baseline (week 0), post-intensive (week 5; after completion of core modules), posttreatment (week 14; completion of the intervention), and 3- and 12-month follow-up

Interventions

Internet-based Unified Protocol (UP) Intervention OTHER

An Electronic Clinic for Psychological Services (eClinic) was developed in Hong Kong to provide evidence-based internet intervention for local Chinese youths/young adults, particularly those with moderate-to-severe emotional problems, e.g., depression and anxiety, via an easily accessible and private, stigma-free online platform. It offered maximum flexibility in terms of time and location for participants to attend the services. The first internet intervention offered from the eClinic was adapted from the UP, a transdiagnostic intervention for emotional problems. Its internet version operated in a hybrid format, comprising essentially scripted modules for self-learning, plus weekly video conferencing sessions with therapists.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Individuals aged between 15 and 35 years that are able to speak, read, and write Chinese, and present with moderate to severe depression or anxiety at the time of intake.

You may qualify if:

• Screened eligible for and enrolled in the eClinic service
• Age between 15 and 35 years
• Speak, read, and write Chinese
• Present with moderate to severe depression (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) total score ≥ 10) or anxiety (i.e., Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) total score ≥ 8)

You may not qualify if:

• Present with a history of psychosis in the recent 2 years
• Present with severe risk for self-harm/suicide (i.e., indicated as being at higher risk on the P4 suicidality screener during the service-related screening procedure prior to enrollment in the eClinic service)
• Present with active homicidal ideations (i.e., assessed during the service-related screening procedure prior to enrollment in the eClinic service)
• Demonstrate sub-average intelligence (e.g., based on a history of intellectual disability)
• Concurrently receive other psychological services

Sponsors & Collaborators

• New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association: lead
• Chinese University of Hong Kong: collaborator
• The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association

Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major

Interventions

Methods

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2026
• First Posted: May 20, 2026
• Study Start: December 28, 2022
• Primary Completion: October 31, 2025
• Study Completion: October 31, 2025
• Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)