Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Pilot RCT of a Chinese Medicine Diabetes Education Programme

40 participantsStarted 2026-07-30

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a Chinese medicine diabetes education programme is feasible and acceptable, and to explore its preliminary effects on self-management, for adults with type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the Chinese medicine diabetes education programme feasible to deliver in a community setting (recruitment, retention and adherence)? 2. Is the programme acceptable to participants? 3. Does the programme show early signals of improving diabetes management self-efficacy and related outcomes? Researchers will compare the Chinese medicine education programme to usual care to see if the programme is feasible, acceptable and shows preliminary benefits. Participants will: 1. Be randomly assigned to either a 4-week Chinese medicine diabetes education programme (four group sessions, total 4-6 hours) or usual care 2. Complete assessments at baseline, after the programme, and at 2-month follow-up. 3. Attend a focus group interview at the end of the study (selected participants) Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation.

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: * Adults aged 18 years or above * Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus * Able to understand and communicate in Cantonese, and able to read Chinese * Willing and able to provide written informed consent * Able to attend the education sessions at the designated venues Exclusion Criteria: * Severe cognitive impairment that would prevent meaningful participation in group education * Acute or unstable medical conditions, or serious chronic illnesses currently under active treatment (e.g., ongoing cancer treatment), that may preclude safe participation in group activities * Currently participating in another structured diabetes education research programme * Pregnancy

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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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: From start of recruitment to end of recruitment period

Retention rate

Timeframe: From randomisation to 2-month follow-up

Adherence to the education programme

Timeframe: During the 4-week intervention period

Acceptability of the programme

Timeframe: At the end of the 4-week education programme

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07758413

SponsorThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-01

Contact for this trial

Yuen-Shan Ho, PhD

852 2766 6410 janice.ys.ho@polyu.edu.hk

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Diabetes (DM) trials