Studies how acceptance and commitment therapy helps smoking cessation in people with schizophrenia
Tests a talking therapy to help adults with schizophrenia quit smoking.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Smoking on Network Connectivity in Patients With Schizophrenia Symptoms in Scz Patients
Key facts
- Where
- Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the 5 sites
Where in Hong Kong
- Lok Hong Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness, Tung Wah Group of HospitalsHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
- Mental Health and Development, Christian Family Service CentreHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
- Out-patient Clinic (Psy), Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern HospitalHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
- The Mental Health Association of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
- The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime PreventionHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Trial code
- NCT07441928
- Record updated
- 2 March 2026
- Original description
The prevalence of smoking among people with schizophrenia (SCZ) is substantially higher at 54% to 90% (McClave et al., 2010). About half of all deaths amongst people with scz are attributed to smoking-related diseases and cancer involving the lung, the cardiovascular system, and the liver (Kely et al., 2011; WHO, 2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is effective for treating psychotic symptoms and addictive behaviours. In a local randomised controlled trial comparing individual ACT to social support for smoking cessation in adult scz smokers, the self-reported quit rates in ACT group were higher than in the social support group (6 months: 12.3% vs. 7.7%, p=0.56 ; 12 months: 10.8% vs. 7.7%, p=0.76; Mak, Loke, and Leung, 2021). In this study, functional neuroimaging (fMRI) will be combined with symptoms assessment in order to ascertain whether group-based ACT is effective in modifying the brain's responses in general and specifically to tobacco craving cues and resting-state functional connectivity in three time points (pre-, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up) among people with schizophrenia.Read full original descriptionShow less
Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to Assess the Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Smoking Cessation and Reduction of Psychotic Symptoms in Patients With Schizophrenia
The prevalence of smoking among people with schizophrenia (SCZ) is substantially higher at 54% to 90% (McClave et al., 2010). About half of all deaths amongst people with scz are attributed to smoking-related diseases and cancer involving the lung, the cardiovascular system, and the liver (Kely et al., 2011; WHO, 2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is effective for treating psychotic symptoms and addictive behaviours. In a local randomised controlled trial comparing individual ACT to social support for smoking cessation in adult scz smokers, the self-reported quit rates in ACT group were higher than in the social support group (6 months: 12.3% vs. 7.7%, p=0.56 ; 12 months: 10.8% vs. 7.7%, p=0.76; Mak, Loke, and Leung, 2021). In this study, functional neuroimaging (fMRI) will be combined with symptoms assessment in order to ascertain whether group-based ACT is effective in modifying the brain's responses in general and specifically to tobacco craving cues and resting-state functional connectivity in three time points (pre-, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up) among people with schizophrenia.
Inclusion: Individuals who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and after at least one-year followup; currently taking anti-psychotic medications for ≥ 3 months with good compliance; aged 18 years or above; able to communicate in Cantonese.
Exclusion: Have a lifetime history of substance abuse and/or are currently receiving treatment for substance abuse (e.g., opioids, cocaine, marijuana, or stimulants); Have received a diagnosis of alcohol or drug dependence in the year preceding recruitment; Have any other current or past psychotic disorders; with a known history of violence/aggression and a forensic history; Have a history or current diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Have a history of epilepsy or a seizure disorder; Experience disorientation, have developmental disabilities, and/or an organic mental disorder; with fleeting or actual suicidal/self-harm ideations, or acting-out behavior in the past; Categorized with special care or intensive care (e.g., arson, battery, physical assault, rape, murder, etc.); With alcohol consumption exceeding 25 standard drinks/week for men and 20 standard drinks/week for women over the last 6 months; Are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning a pregnancy for the duration of the study; fMRI-related exclusion criteria promulgated by University Research Facility in Behavioural and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN), PolyU.