Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

An Ecological Momentary Intervention for Mental Health in Individuals With Ankylosing Spondylitis

China, Hong Kong36 participantsStarted 2026-04-01

Plain-language summary

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease associated with pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and impaired quality of life. In addition to physical symptoms, individuals with ankylosing spondylitis frequently experience depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep problems. However, existing mental health support is limited and often relies on static assessments and scheduled interventions, which may not respond to patients' fluctuating daily symptoms. This study aims to develop and pilot test a WeChat-based ecological momentary intervention to improve mental health in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis in China. The study is a prospective, parallel-group, assessor-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial. A total of 36 adults with ankylosing spondylitis and mild-to-moderate depression and/or anxiety will be randomized 1:1 to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will first receive six brief video-based sessions on cognitive behavioral therapy-related skills during week 1. During weeks 2 to 5, participants will use a WeChat mini-program to complete daily ecological momentary assessments of pain, depression, and anxiety. Symptom-triggered intervention modules will then provide brief, tailored strategies such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, relaxation exercises, self-compassion practice, and SMART goal setting. The control group will receive standard counseling and educational materials. The primary purpose of this pilot study is to assess feasibility and acceptability, including recruitment, adherence, attrition, engagement, usability, satisfaction, and adverse events. Preliminary effects on depression, anxiety, stress, pain, insomnia, illness perceptions, coping strategies, and quality of life will also be explored at baseline, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis * Aged 18 years or above * Exhibiting mild to moderate levels of depression (scoring between 10 and 20 on the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 items) or anxiety (scoring between 8 and 14 on the anxiety subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 items) * Maintained stable drug treatment in the 3 months before recruitment * Able to perform basic daily activities (such as walking, sitting, etc.) * Able to use a smartphone to engage in the ecological momentary intervention ● Proficient in Cantonese and/or Mandarin Chinese and have the necessary comprehension abilities to understand and be willing to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Have a diagnosed mental illness or a history of mental illness * Have other severe chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, cancer) that may affect study outcomes or intervention effects * Are currently participating in other psychosocial interventions

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial is testing a smartphone-based ecological momentary intervention for mental health in people with ankylosing spondylitis — can you explain what that type of intervention actually involves day-to-day, and whether the time commitment seems realistic given how my AS symptoms fluctuate?
2Since the trial is in a 'not applicable' phase and its primary focus is on recruitment, retention, and usability rather than measuring whether the intervention actually improves mental health outcomes, what does that mean for what I could realistically expect to gain from participating versus waiting for more established treatments?
3The study is actively enrolling no more patients — is there any chance I could still be considered, or are there similar studies looking at digital mental health support for AS that my care team could point me toward?
4Given that AS can significantly affect mental health and this trial is specifically designed around that connection, are there already proven mental health supports — like therapy, medication, or AS-specific support programs — that I should be exploring alongside or instead of a study like this?
5If I were to participate in something like this ecological momentary intervention, how would you as my doctor stay involved in monitoring my mental health progress, and what would happen if my mental health worsened during the study period?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Recruitment rate

Timeframe: Baseline

Retention rate

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention and at 4 weeks' follow-up

Dropout rate

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention and at 4 weeks' follow-up

Adherence rate

Timeframe: From baseline to immediately after intervention

Usability

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention

User experience

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention and at 4 weeks' follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07647965

SponsorThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-03-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Recruitment rate

Timeframe: Baseline

Retention rate

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention and at 4 weeks' follow-up

Dropout rate

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention and at 4 weeks' follow-up

Adherence rate

Timeframe: From baseline to immediately after intervention

Usability

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention

User experience

Timeframe: Immediately after intervention and at 4 weeks' follow-up