Feasibility and Effects of a Blended Baduanjin Exercise and Green Tea Consumption Program on Depr… (NCT07687940) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Feasibility and Effects of a Blended Baduanjin Exercise and Green Tea Consumption Program on Depressive Symptoms, Gut Microbiota and Quality of Life in Older Adults
Hong Kong48 participantsStarted 2025-11-01
Plain-language summary
Depression is a common mental health issue in older adults, often manifesting as insomnia, low mood, vague somatic complaints, cognitive decline, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Even subthreshold depressive symptoms in late life significantly impair quality of life. In Hong Kong, recent data show high prevalence of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults (43.7% in men, 54.8% in women), underscoring the urgent public health and economic need for effective interventions.
Although the previous evidence has shown that BDJ and GT consumption can improve depressive symptoms, gut microbiota, and QoL respectively, the feasibility and effect of the combination of two intervention approaches in older adults remain unclear. Therefore, the proposed study aims to (1) determine the feasibility of a 12-week blended BDJ and GT consumption program among Hong Kong community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms in a small-scale sample, and (2) examine the effects of the blended BDJ and GT consumption program on their depressive symptoms, gut-microbiota and QoL compared with that in the active control group.
Who can participate
Age range
65 Years – 84 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
. community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 84 years, who are youngest-old and middle-old with relatively stable health status compared with oldest-old aged 85 years and above
. Scoring 5-15 using the Chinese version of Geriatric Depression Scale.
. Access the smartphone and internet through which the Hospital Authority (HA) HA Go mobile app.
. Pass the PAR-Q screening and no contraindications for physical exercise.
. No history of smoking.
Exclusion criteria
. suffer from cognitive impairment identified by the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (i.e., score \< 24).
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 combines Baduanjin exercise — a traditional Chinese movement practice — with green tea consumption to address depressive symptoms; given my current health and any medications I'm on, is there any reason either of those components might not be safe or appropriate for me?
2Since this study is described as a 'feasibility' trial with no listed phase, it seems focused on whether the program is practical rather than proving it works — does that mean there's less evidence so far about whether it actually reduces depressive symptoms, and should I consider more established treatments first?
3The trial measures gut microbiota alongside depressive symptoms, which suggests it's exploring a gut-brain connection — can you help me understand what that might mean for how my depression is being thought about, and whether this approach fits my specific situation?
4This study involves regular Baduanjin exercise sessions and daily green tea intake, which could be a significant commitment — based on what you know about my schedule and overall health, do you think I could realistically manage those demands while also keeping up with my existing care?
5Are there standard treatments for depressive symptoms — like therapy, medication, or other lifestyle programs — that you'd recommend I try or consider alongside looking into this trial, so I can weigh my options before making any decisions?
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
1
Self-reported depressive symptoms
Timeframe: Outcome evaluations will be performed three times at pre-intervention (T1 baseline), after 12-weeks intervention (T2 post-intervention), and 3 months after intervention completion (T3 follow-up test).
. regularly consume tea or coffee (≥3 times/day, last for ≥6 months) as these habitual behaviors can contaminate the effects of tea consumption intervention per se.
. Individuals with contraindications for tea consumption, such as insomnia, anemia, neurasthenia, hyperthyroidism, digestive ulcers, etc.
. The concurrent use of sedative and tranquilizer medications, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
. take warfarin;
. Participants are attending other health projects related to physical exercise and diet.