Development of a Digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Suicide Prevention in Adults Through Co-design

July 23, 2026 updated by: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Suicide is a major public health concern and there is a need for accessible and scalable interventions to support individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts. The aim of this study is to develop a digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for suicide prevention in Chinese adults through co-design. The study will involve literature review, interviews, and co-design activities to identify user needs, preferences, and contextual factors, and to develop the intervention. Following intervention development, a pilot study will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility, usability, acceptability, and user engagement of the intervention. Findings from this study will inform further refinement of the intervention and future evaluation studies.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
80

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • China
      • Hong Kong, China
        • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
        • Contact:
          • Bryant Hui
          • Phone Number: +85227667744

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

  • Inclusion Criteria Lived experience participants

    1. Aged 18 years or older;
    2. Have experienced suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors;
    3. Able to read and communicate in Chinese; Professionals
    1. Aged 18 years or older;
    2. Professionals with experience relevant to suicide prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), digital mental health, or related fields;

  • Exclusion Criteria

    1. Unable to provide informed consent or participate in study activities;
    2. Currently experiencing acute suicide risk requiring immediate intervention;
    3. Severe cognitive impairment or active psychotic symptoms that would prevent participation.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Digital ACT Intervention
The Digital ACT Intervention will be co-designed with stakeholders and informed by co-design activities. The intervention aims to support adults experiencing suicidal thoughts through a digital platform.
Behavioral: Digital ACT Intervention
A co-designed digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for suicide prevention

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Intervention completion rate
Time Frame: End of the intervention (approximately 2 weeks)
The intervention completion rate will be assessed as the percentage of participants who complete the digital intervention, based on intervention usage records.
End of the intervention (approximately 2 weeks)
Retention rate
Time Frame: End of the 1-month follow-up
The participant retention rate will be assessed as the percentage of participants who complete the post-intervention assessment and the follow-up assessment.
End of the 1-month follow-up
Acceptability outcome
Time Frame: End of the intervention (approximately 2 weeks)
Acceptability of the intervention will be assessed using participant-reported ratings and feedback regarding satisfaction and overall experience with the intervention.
End of the intervention (approximately 2 weeks)
Usability outcome
Time Frame: End of the intervention (approximately 2 weeks)
Usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), a 10-item self-report questionnaire. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better usability of the intervention.
End of the intervention (approximately 2 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Suicide ideation
Time Frame: Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Suicidal ideation will be assessed using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). Each item is rated on a 3-point scale ranging from 0 to 2, with higher scores indicating greater suicidal ideation.
Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Psychological flexibility and inflexibility
Time Frame: Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Psychological flexibility and inflexibility will be assessed using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory-24 (MPFI-24). Each item is rated on a 6-point scale ranging from 1 to 6. Higher scores on the flexibility and inflexibility subscales indicate greater psychological flexibility and psychological inflexibility, respectively.
Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Psychological Distress
Time Frame: Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Psychological distress will be assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Each item is rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating greater psychological distress.
Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Mental well-being
Time Frame: Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up
Mental well-being will be assessed using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). Each item is rated on a 6-point scale ranging from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater mental well-being.
Baseline, end of the 2-week intervention, and 1-month follow-up

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Qualitative Feedback and Design Recommendations
Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Qualitative feedback related to user needs, preferences, barriers, facilitators, cultural considerations, and recommendations for intervention refinement will be identified from co-design activities and feedback sessions.
Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Cultural Relevance
Time Frame: Through study completion, an average of 6 months
Cultural relevance of the intervention will be assessed through participant feedback regarding the appropriateness, relevance, and cultural fit of the intervention content and delivery.
Through study completion, an average of 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Tao Zhang, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
July 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 23, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 23, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HSEARS20260122008-1

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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