Clinical trials

This is an assessor-blinded, randomized, MAS-controlled trial. A total of 148 adolescents aged 15-22 years experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms will be recruited. They will be randomly assigned to DCEAS+BA (n = 74) and MAS (n = 74) for 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week post-treatment observation period. A post-intervention visit will be held at week 12. The primary outcome will be assessed using the Chinese version of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI-C). The secondary outcomes include the Beck Depression Inventory II (C-BDI-II) for depression, the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) as additional assessments for anxiety and depression, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) (HK version) for the general quality of life. Assessment will be carried out every 4 weeks till week 12, while saliva will be collected at baseline and at the end of the 8 weeks. Salivary oxytocin and cortisol will be analyzed. A generalized linear mixed-effect model will be applied to compare treatment outcomes over time in the two groups and linear regression will be conducted to examine intercorrelations among clinical improvement and changes in biomarker levels. Subgroup analysis will be conducted to identify specific effects of DCEAS+BA.

Over 80% of caregivers for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (ND) engage in significant risk behaviors, particularly physical inactivity, which increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) by 30% and reduces life expectancy by 4-8 years. Despite the health benefits of maintaining healthy behaviors, awareness of behavioral risk management among healthcare professionals and the public is low, and research on this topic for ND caregivers is limited. Given that physical activity (PA) is the most prevalent modifiable risk factor, timely intervention is essential. International guidelines prioritize PA as a key strategy for caregiver health. However, existing PA interventions often struggle with low compliance due to the physical and emotional challenges caregivers face. Mindfulness-based lifestyle modification might help caregivers better manage physical discomfort, stress, and self-limiting beliefs, thereby supporting sustained PA by improving attentional regulation and psychological flexibility. The World Health Organization advocates for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention through brief lifestyle interventions, such as ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use mobile messaging (e.g., WhatsApp) to deliver personalized health content. This method is particularly valuable for caregivers who find it difficult to access traditional services due to their responsibilities. A pilot RCT was conducted to compare B-Mindful-Life to brief lifestyle education program in Chinese neurodegenerative disease caregivers, demonstrating promising acceptability, engagement, and effect for increasing PA (NCT06583018). Therefore, this full-power randomized clinical trial aims to rigorously examine its effectiveness and broader impact on this underserved population with several advancement: (i) broaden the population into all neurological disorder caregivers to test for the generalizability of the B-Mindful-Life program; (ii) conduct a 12-month follow-up to assess long-term effects of B-Mindful-Life intervention in real-life settings; (iii) modify outcome measures for targeted assessment. The primary outcome will measure the change in accelerometer-determined, 10-minute bout moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over a 7-day period from baseline to post-intervention.

The goal of this trial is to learn if chatbot-based instant messaging works to help smoking cessation in general adult smokers. It will also learn about the experience, attitude, and perception of using an LLM-based chatbot. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will an engagement-focused LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior validated abstinence rate than the control group? 2. Will an LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior self-reported abstinence rate, smoking reduction rate, and smoking cessation services use rate than the control group? Researchers will compare an LLM-based chatbot smoking-cessation intervention to a human-led instant messaging support group (brief advice based on AWARD and personalised active referral) to determine whether chatbot-based instant messaging support promotes smoking cessation. Participants in the intervention group will receive: 1. AWARD advice 2. Personalised active referral 3. 12 weeks of chatbot-based instant messaging support (via WhatsApp)

This is a randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of Vericiguat to improve stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial perfusion reserve as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

The study aims to address the following questions: 1. Do subgroups defined by early medication choices, relapse, and medication taken over 20 years differ in clinical, cognitive, and functional outcomes? 2. What are the long-term cognitive functioning trajectories, what factors predict these trajectories, and how do they relate to outcomes? 3. What might be the mechanisms behind medication discontinuation and poor long-term outcome, including the roles of multiple relapses and treatment resistance after first-episode psychosis? Eligible patients will be invited to a one-time face-to-face interview. A trained research assistant will guide the participants through questions about their background, clinical symptoms, daily functioning, cognitive abilities, and psychological well-being.

The focus of this study is on two types of mouthwashes - one containing a chlorhexidine (CHX) at 0.2% (CHX), and the other one containing CHX at a lower concentration of 0.12% with cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Both mouthwashes are used to help in the treatment of gum disease. CHX has been known for a long time for its effectiveness against plaque and mouth inflammation. It could inhibit and even kill them. However higher concentrations of CHX comes with unwanted side effect including altered taste, teeth staining and irritation in the mouth. Interestingly, these side effects seem to occur less frequently when a lower concentration CHX solution is used. CPC also combats bacteria by adhering quickly to the surfaces inside your mouth, although it has less substantivity than CHX, it has been shown to reduce plaque and gum inflammation effectively, and it typically causes fewer side effects than CHX. We hypothesize that this new formulation of CHX 0.12%+CPC mouthwash is non-inferior to CHX 0.2% in terms of its anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory properties while presenting with less side effects after 21 days of use. Microbiological samples and fluids from periodontal pockets will be collected before and after treatment for analysis of microbiological effects.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a VR intervention on teaching handwashing skills which are promoted by the Centre for Health Protection, Department of Health, HKSAR. A 7-step handwashing approach will be taught through a customized VR game in secondary schools in Hong Kong. Participant's handwashing skills and prolonged effects on handwashing habits and hygiene level will be assessed. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does an intervention of our VR handwashing game enhance handwashing skills amongst junior secondary students? * What are the factors hinder or enhance students' learning of handwashing skills in the intervention? Participating students will be assigned into 3 groups. Each group will receive two sessions of educational training with different kinds of intervention throughout one school year (9 months). The first intervention group will participate in two VR-game sessions on handwashing skill; the second intervention group will participate in one VR-game session and one video session about handwashing; the baseline group will participate in two sessions of other VR activities unrelated to hand hygiene and view a handwashing skill poster. The research will compare the handwashing performance between the three groups. Participants will: * participate into a VR handwashing game intervention, or a video-based intervention, or placebo VR activities as stated hereinafter; * perform handwashing in the VR game, and their hand-motion data will be captured; * participate a UV lighting test after handwashing away fluorescent lotion; and, * fill up questionnaires

The supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) is a frequently used anaesthetic method for upper limb surgeries, including distal radial fracture surgery. Adding liposomal bupivacaine to BPB has shown promise in enhancing postoperative pain control. A previous randomized controlled trial demonstrated that it reduced pain scores and OBAS compared to plain bupivacaine alone, especially on postoperative day (POD) 1. Adding adjuncts to non-liposomal local anaesthetics can also enhance and prolong postoperative pain relief. The effectiveness of liposomal bupivacaine compared to adjuncts like dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine remains unclear. Since liposomal bupivacaine is more expensive, it is crucial to compare its analgesic efficacy with these alternatives. A randomized controlled trial comparing liposomal bupivacaine versus dexamethasone in the interscalene BPB for shoulder surgery found that liposomal bupivacaine resulted in statistically significantly lower pain scores and less pain interference in the Brief Pain Inventory, although the reduction was not considered clinically relevant. Its high cost may therefore limit its routine use unless specific clinical contexts where its efficacy is maximized are identified. Notably, patients with risk factors like psychological factors, preoperative pain, and prior analgesic use may benefit most from its application. A randomized controlled trial to compare the analgesic efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine plus plain bupivacaine versus dexamethasone plus plain bupivacaine in supraclavicular BPB for patients at higher risk of poor acute pain control post distal radial fracture surgery will be conducted. Patients with severe preoperative pain, opioid use, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and/or higher energy and high-grade fracture cases will be selected. The primary outcome measured is the intensity of acute postoperative pain with movement in the first 48 hours after surgery. Important secondary outcomes include pain intensity at rest, opioid consumption, OBAS scores, chronic pain, and upper limb functionality.

Wearable health technology, particularly smartwatches, has revolutionized personal health monitoring by enabling continuous, non-invasive tracking of various physiological parameters. The potential applications of these devices in cardiology are extensive, but it is crucial to validate their accuracy against established medical-grade devices. The Apple Watch Series 9 (Apple, USA) exemplifies the capabilities of modern smartwatches, offering a wide range of health tracking features. These include heart rate monitoring, detection of irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation, electrocardiogram recording, blood oxygen level measurement, and comprehensive mobility metrics (including VO2 max, six-minute walk distance, walking speed, step length, double support time, and walking asymmetry). Many of these parameters are highly relevant for cardiovascular patients, potentially aiding in disease progression monitoring and adverse event prediction. However, there is a lack of comprehensive validation studies for these devices in specific cardiovascular disease populations. This investigator-initiated, prospective observational study will consist of two phases: a training phase which involves 50 participants and a prospective validation phase which involves 20 participants. The study aims to validate smartwatch-based assessments using medical-grade devices and techniques. The study will focus on adult patients with congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and coronary artery disease, as well as athletes undergoing cardiovascular assessment. By comparing smartwatch data with established clinical measurements, we seek to determine the reliability and potential clinical utility of these wearable devices in diverse cardiovascular contexts. Anonymized smartwatch data collected during the two phases will be published to a publicly registry to facilitate further research. This research will help bridge the gap between consumer-grade wearable technology and clinical practice in cardiology.

Individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from stress and behavioral risks such as physical inactivity. In an attempt to promote healthy behaviors and overall wellbeing among this particular population, this study aims to develop and evaluate a personalized Mindful-Breath intervention combining telehealth technology and mindfulness for COPD patients. This is an assessor-blinded, two-arm exploratory randomized controlled trial with a sequential mixed-method design. A total of 60 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either intervention or control group using 1:1 ratio. Intervention group will go through 8 weekly 60-min hybrid group sessions, combining mindfulness-based pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle modification. Personalized mindfulness-based lifestyle counselling through instant messages with chat-based support throughout the 8-week intervention period will also be provided. Control group will receive a single in-person 60-min group session on general education on pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle modification and will only receive reminder messages for follow-ups. Variables such as time spent on physical activity, lung function, perceived stress, symptom burden and health-related quality of life will be collected at three time-points (T0: baseline, prior to randomization; T1: immediate post-intervention; T2: 3-month post-intervention).

The goal of this pilot trial is to learn if 1-week NRT sampling, 3-week chewing gum, and 12-week chatbot-delivered instant messaging support works to help smoking cessation in construction workers who smoke. It will also learn about the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of delivering the comprehensive intervention in construction settings. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Will the integrated intervention, comprising NRT sampling, chewing gum, and chatbot-delivered instant messaging support, show feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness for delivery in construction worksite settings? 2. Will participants who receive the comprehensive intervention have a higher validated abstinence rate than those who receive NRT sampling alone? Researchers will compare the integrated intervention, comprising NRT sampling, chewing gum, and chatbot-delivered instant messaging support, to the standard care group (NRT sampling alone) to see if the integrated intervention works to promote smoking cessation. Participants in the intervention group will receive: 1. AWARD advice and brief video 2. 1-week NRT sampling 3. 3-week chewing gum 4. 12-week chatbot-based instant messaging support (via WhatsApp)

Lung cancer can be detected via screening of high-risk individuals, i.e current or ex-heavy smokers, with low-dose computer tomography (LDCT) of thorax. The National Lung Screening Trial in US and the NELSON trial in Europe demonstrated reduction in lung cancer mortality with LDCT screening for lung cancer. In Hong Kong, however, there is a prominence of female never-smokers with lung cancer. There is no identifiable risk factors for non-smokers with lung cancer except family history of lung cancer. The hypothesis is that lung cancer screening for subjects with family history of lung cancer, can detect early lung cancer.

The goal of this study is to learn whether combining repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with a computerized behavioral intervention (imagery cognitive bias modification, CBM-I) reduces negative interpretation bias and mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms. The study will also examine neural changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and whether timing of interventions affects outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does active TMS reduce negative interpretation bias and depressive symptoms more than sham TMS? Is delivering CBM-I concurrently with TMS more effective than delivering it consecutively (separate sessions) at reducing negative bias and depressive symptoms? Do combined rTMS + CBM-I approaches produce greater neural changes and improved cognitive control over self-referential interpretation than controls? Researchers will compare active TMS versus sham TMS, and concurrent versus consecutive delivery of CBM-I, to test effects on negative bias and depressive symptoms. Participants will: Receive either active rTMS or sham TMS targeting the DLPFC Complete imagery CBM-I sessions either concurrently with TMS or in separate (consecutive) sessions Undergo assessments of negative interpretation bias, depressive symptoms, and neural measures before and after the intervention

Lung Cancer is common in Asia and is different from lung cancer from Western countries in terms of lung cancer epidemiology and management. Lung cancer can be detected early but most early-stage lung cancer appear as lung nodules with suspicious features on imaging. Workup and surveillance for subjects with suspicious lung nodule is a clinical problem. There is no consensus and clinical practice usually varies with local epidemiology of lung diseases namely the local clinical characteristics especially with lung cancer and pulmonary tuberculosis. The clinical challenge is to address whether pulmonary nodules identified on CT screening carry short- and long-term risk for lung cancer. The main objective of this study is to test the improvement of efficiency of diagnostic evaluation with clinical parameters and ctDNA mutation/methylation profiling for artificial intelligence modeling of for early detection of lung cancer in subjects with suspicious lung nodules. The hypothesis is that ctDNA mutation and methylation will enhance early detection of lung cancer in patients with suspicious lung nodules. This is a longitudinal cohort study. A total of 200 subjects (100 from Hong Kong and 100 from Vietnam) with suspicious lung nodules on CT Thorax will be recruited. Blood samples will be collected at recruitment and subsequent 6 months follow up. ctDNA mutations and methylation with SPOTMAS Lung assays would be performed at baseline and at 6 months follow-up. The CT scan where the suspicious lung nodules were identified, will be used as baseline scan for recruitment. Recruited subjects will be arranged with a non-contrast LDCT scans at 6 months follow-up. The primary outcome measure of the study is the detection of ctDNA mutation and methylation in correlation with diagnosis of lung cancer or persistence of suspicious lung nodules. The secondary outcome measures of the study are the Sensitivity and specificity of clinical biomarkers in correctly identifying malignant lung nodule, i.e., lung cancer.

The objective of the current study is to assess the impact of a five-week digital heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-B) intervention or music listening on the well-being of first episode psychosis patients. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of how an individual's heart rate can adapt to a changing environment and mental and physiological challenges. It has been well established that HRV can be regulated through actions such as slow breathing and meditation. HRV Biofeedback (HRV-B) involves breathing at a specific frequency, usually around 6 breaths per minute, which has been shown to maximize HRV. Research has shown that HRV-B interventions improved mental health symptoms in various populations including individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether strontium-doped bioactive glass-ceramic (SBGC)-filled dentine adhesive is effective in relieving dentine hypersensitivity. The main question it aims to answer is: Is SBGC-filled dentine adhesive more effective in reducing dentine hypersensitivity than non-SBGC-filled dentine adhesive? Researchers will compare SBGC-filled dentine adhesive to a dentine adhesive to see if SBGC-filled dentine adhesive is more effective at relieving dentine hypersensitivity. Participants will receive a single application of either SBGC-filled dentine adhesive (intervention group) or dentine adhesive (control group) on the root surfaces of teeth presenting with pain subject to an air-blast test. The degree of pain will be assessed using a Sensitivity Score at baseline, immediately after application of either the intervention dentine adhesive or control dentine adhesive. The participants will visit the clinic at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months for re-assessment of the severity of dentine hypersensitivity.

Proprioceptive deficits in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurological deficits in somatosensory and motor function which affects the body balance and motor control. DCM usually presents with body incoordination, hand clumsiness and gait disturbance associated with proprioceptive dysfunction that hinders the physical performance and functions. In this study, a non-invasive assessment protocol on proprioception will be developed for detecting subtle proprioceptive deficits at the early stage of disease through simple Physical Performance Tests for population older than 45. By adopting the physical performance tests as the diagnostic predictors of DCM, we aim to avoid the development of devastating consequences and disabilities.

The goal of the study is to confirm the idea of AI-powered Technological Surrogate Physiotherapist (TSP), by demonstrating its effectiveness and value as a new technology-based contribution to OA healthcare. Participants will be randomized to one of two groups: (1) the conventional PT group receiving the exercise program delivered through in-person sessions; or (2) the AI-guided group following the program through the TSP after an initial PT session. All individuals will take part in the study for 12 weeks, and data will be collected at baseline and 12 weeks after randomization.

This study aims to develop a typology-based intervention delivered by smoking cessation (SC) counsellors to prevent smoking relapse in ex-smokers who recently quit. The two main research questions include (1) Can a typology-based smoking relapse prevention intervention be feasible and accepted by the smokers and SC counsellors who deliver the new intervention? (2) What is the preliminary evidence on the efficacy of the typology-based smoking relapse prevention to increase tobacco abstinence in ex-smokers who have recently quit? If the intervention shows at least a small effect size (i.e. risk ratio\>1.3), or the intervention is feasible while modifications can potentially increase the efficacy, a future definitive RCT is warranted.

The proposed two-arm randomized waitlist-controlled trial will use a mixed-methods design to investigate the effects of dyadic mindfulness on physio-psycho-spiritual outcomes in people with Parkinson's Disease (PwPD) and their family caregivers. One hundred Chinese patient-caregiver dyads will be randomized to receive eight weekly 90-minute dyadic mindfulness sessions or usual care. Outcome measures include negative emotions (primary outcome), patient-caregiver relationship, mindfulness, HRQOL, gut microbiome, PD-related symptoms, and caregiving burden. An actor-partner interdependence model will be used to explore the interactions of treatment effects within the dyads. The dyads will be assessed at baseline(T0), post-intervention(T1), and 4-months post-intervention(T2). The investigators will also invite 25 dyads to attend in-depth interviews exploring their experiences, perceived changes, and factors attributable to the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of the intervention. Generalized linear mixed-effects (GLME) with intention-to-treat analysis will be used to compare the changes in outcomes over time within and between the two arms. The findings will be triangulated to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness. This study will generate rigorous scientific evidence to inform the application of dyadic mindfulness as a public health practice preventing the progression of psychological distress in PwPD and caregivers to clinically severe levels. Its self-help nature also enriches the primary care for this clinical cohort.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention in enhancing advance care planning (ACP) among older adults who have visited the Emergency Room (ER) in the past six months and their family caregivers. The main question it aims to answer is: The effectiveness of the MI-based ACP intervention implemented within six months of an ER visit on improving older adults' advance directives (AD) completion rate. Compared to participants in the control group who will only receive a self-education booklet, participants in the intervention group will receive a motivational interview educational intervention to see the effectiveness of an MI-based ACP intervention implemented within six months following an emergency room visit regarding the completion of AD for older adults.

This initiative is designed to yield substantial and multi-level benefits for the Hong Kong community by pioneering a transformative model of preventive healthcare. It represents the largest randomized controlled trial for osteoporosis and sarcopenia prevention in the region, adopting a comprehensive approach to fracture prevention through innovative fitness, lifestyle, and digital strategies. The study's primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of preventing fractures, osteoporosis, and sarcopenia through an incentivized program of fitness and lifestyle modifications in adults aged 40-60. The secondary objectives include: (1) to validate the use of simple, low-cost measures (grip strength and InBody body composition analysis) as reliable proxy indicators for osteoporosis and sarcopenia risk relative to the gold-standard DEXA scan; (2) to develop a formal, standardized clinical protocol for early detection and prevention, including specified DEXA anatomical measurement sites, for use by healthcare professionals in primary and community care settings; (3) to assess changes in exercise behavior, musculoskeletal health, physical function, health literacy, and participant engagement with the digital (AI chatbot) support system; (4) to analyze the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared to standard care or pharmacological treatment, including an assessment of healthcare utilization and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). After baseline screening and consent, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups (1:1 ratio) with intention-to-treat principles. The Control Group will receive passive, static support. This involves participating in one initial FUN Day, receiving standard exercise videos, using a passive chatbot for data reporting, undergoing start and end DEXA scans (which require a co-payment), completing a 3-month assessment, and receiving souvenirs at the study start and end. Meanwhile, the Intervention Group will receive active, dynamic support designed to build and reinforce healthy habits. This involves participating in the initial FUN Day, a reinforcement FUN Day at 2 months, nine mandatory structured exercise touchpoints, using an active chatbot with reminders, feedback, and gamification, undergoing start and end DEXA scans (which require a co-payment), completing a 3-month assessment, and receiving ongoing incentives and souvenirs at multiple points. Therefore, researchers will compare between the control and intervention groups to see if intervention can prevent osteoporosis and sarcopenia at a population level. All participants will undergo a series of assessments at specific timepoints. This includes two DEXA scans (at the study start and in the fourth year, requiring a participant co-payment), InBody composition analysis, and physical health assessments (e.g., grip strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness). These assessments will be performed at baseline (during the first FUN Day), 3 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months. A long-term follow-up will continue for up to 10 years to monitor adverse health events such as falls and fractures. Participants will also complete questionnaires via an AI chatbot at baseline, 3 months, and annually during follow-up. The collected data will encompass health literacy (e.g., osteoporosis/sarcopenia knowledge scores), digital engagement (e.g., chatbot responsiveness), and economic outcomes (e.g., incremental cost per Quality-Adjusted Life Year \[QALY\] gained). Data analysis will employ appropriate statistical methods to compare outcomes between the control and intervention groups across all assessments and timepoints.

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to examine the effect of an acupressure intervention in alleviating cough and reducing co-occurring symptoms (dyspnea, cough, and fatigue) in patients with lung cancer. The hypotheses are: 1. Acupressure can alleviate cough in lung cancer survivors; 2. Acupressure can reduce a cough-related symptom cluster (dyspnea-cough-fatigue) experienced by lung cancer survivors; 3. Acupressure can reduce the symptom burden and improve the health-related quality of life and functional capacity of lung cancer survivors experiencing cough. Participants will: Receive acupressure for 8 weeks or receive an education booklet; Keep a diary of their acupressure practice and symptoms; Be assessed at baseline (T0), early intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 8 weeks after the intervention period (T3).

The World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) is a fully structured diagnostic tool designed for lay interviewers to assess the prevalence of mental and substance use disorders. Earlier versions, such as the CIDI 3.0, demonstrated acceptable individual-level concordance with clinical assessments based on DSM-IV criteria (Haro et al. 2006). The latest iteration (CIDI 5.0) has been updated to operationalize DSM-5 criteria. Recent evidence from a large-scale, community-based national study in Qatar suggests that under DSM-5 criteria (Khaled et al. 2024), after recalibration, the CIDI 5.0 maintains high specificity (91.9% for MDD, 94.7% for GAD, and 85.5% for PTSD). Sensitivity suggested CIDI diagnoses aligned closely with clinical "gold standard" diagnoses (51.5% for MDD, 50.7% for GAD, and 77.3% for PTSD). Despite the evidence from Qatar, there remains a lack of evidence regarding the validity of the CIDI 5.0 in population-based studies. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the CIDI 5.0 for Lifetime MDD, GAD, and PTSD, using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) as the definitive clinical gold standard.

Overall, the investigators hypothesize that participants assigned to the intervention group (Project ReBond) will demonstrate significantly greater improvements across all outcomes compared to the control group. Specifically, the investigators expect positive intervention effects on desistance and TPB outcomes to become evident as participants transition back into the community (i.e., across the at 1-2 months, 6-7 months, and 13-14 months post-release assessment waves), while workshop-specific outcomes will be evident at the end of the workshop. Overall Design The current study employs a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilizing a mixed design. The between-subjects factor is the treatment condition (Project ReBond Intervention plus TAU versus TAU Control), and the within-subjects factor is time, with repeated measures assessed across multiple time points over a 13-month tracking period. Intervention Group (Project ReBond + TAU) Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive the multifaceted Project ReBond services alongside standard care (TAU) for up to two years, beginning during their incarceration and continuing post-release. It should be noted that the 13-month research tracking period is shorter than the full two-year service duration; this truncated follow-up is necessary due to anticipated challenges in recruiting the predefined sample size before the project's overall deadline. The TAU is provided by the collaborating non-governmental organization (NGO), SideBySide. The Project ReBond intervention consists of the following specific components: * Pre-Release (During Incarceration): Each participant will receive a 6-session pro-social habit workshop and career-life counselling as part of their pre-release preparation. Those requiring employment assistance will be provided with job interview opportunities prior to their release. * Post-Release: Based on their personal interests and the recommendations of their caseworker, participants can choose to engage in the following services: i) Subsidies for professional grooming and image building; ii) Peer mentorship provided by successful desisters; iii) Financial literacy training and counselling; iv) Ongoing career-life counselling; v) Routine workshops designed to cultivate and maintain pro-social hobbies; vi) Subsidies for further education or occupational training; vii) Family-based counselling involving the participant and their significant other(s); and viii) Volunteering and community outreach, sharing opportunities. TAU Control Group Participants in the control group will receive standard care (TAU) while incarcerated and remain free to utilize any existing social services post-release.