MedTrace Logo

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

NCT07647965 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 36

Last updated 2026-06-26

No results posted yet for this study

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.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

Ecological Momentary Intervention

Participants allocated to the intervention group will complete six daily 20-minute video-based CBT sessions over the first week, with a Q\&A session held on the final day of this week. From Week 2 to Week 5, they will complete daily ecological momentary assessments (3 items, \<1 minute per assessment) at random time points between 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM. When scores for pain, anxiety, or depression exceed preset thresholds, tailored intervention modules will be activated, each requiring 10-15 minutes to complete.

OTHER

Attention Control Group

Participants in the control group will receive standard counseling and educational brochures about the disease. They will be asked to read the educational materials at their own pace during the first 5 weeks, with no additional structured assessments and intervention modules required.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-01
Primary Completion
2027-03-31
Completion
2027-03-31

Countries

  • China
  • Hong Kong

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07647965 on ClinicalTrials.gov