The Effect of Group-based Lifestyle Medicine Intervention and CBT on Depressive Symptoms

The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate and compare the efficacy of group-based lifestyle medicine intervention and cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression (CBT-D) for Chinese adults with depressive symptoms. Prior to all study procedures, eligible participants will be required to complete an online informed consent (with telephone support). Around 40 eligible participants aged between 18 to 65 with depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 \[PHQ-9\] ≥ 10) will be randomly assigned to the Lifestyle Medicine group (LM group), or the CBT-D group in a ratio of 1:1. Participants in both groups will receive interventions either through lifestyle medicine intervention or CBT-D group therapy for 6 consecutive weeks. The outcomes of interest will include depressive, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms, quality of life, functional impairment, and health-promoting behaviours at baseline (week 0), immediate (week 7) and 3-month post-intervention assessments (week 19). Treatment credibility and acceptability will be collected before and immediately after treatment.