Primary Care Clinical Trial Unit

As a leading hub for primary care research in the region, the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care is proud to establish the Primary Care Clinical Trial Unit (PCCTU) to:

  • address pressing health challenges through high-quality, evidence-based clinical trials designed to improve patient outcomes and inform healthcare policies;
  • advance knowledge and innovation in primary care through rigorous research, while fostering collaborations among healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers;
  • drive evidence-based solutions to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Join Us

The PCCTU is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of experts in clinical trials, biostatistics, and primary care. We invite researchers, healthcare professionals, and community members to join us in our mission to promote evidence-based practices and improve the lives of patients through impactful research.

For more information about the PCCTU or to explore collaboration opportunities, please contact us at:

Email: info_sphpc@cuhk.edu.hk  

Address: 4/F, Lek Yuen Health Centre, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong

Our Team

Focus Areas

  • Developing and evaluating novel approaches for early detection, intervention, and management of mental health problems in primary care settings.
  • Exploring the integration of mental health services into routine primary care to reduce stigma and improve access to care.
  • Investigating innovative strategies for managing chronic pain, including musculoskeletal, neuropathic pain and chronic widespread pain, to enhance quality of life.
  • Assessing the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions, such as digital health tools and exercise therapies, for pain management.
  • Conducting trials to optimize hypertension management and prevention, with a focus on personalized care and lifestyle modifications.
  • Evaluating the impact of mobile health technologies and patient-centered interventions on blood pressure control.
  • Advancing primary prevention strategies, including lifestyle interventions and community-based programs, to reduce the burden of chronic diseases.
  • Exploring innovative approaches to enhance vaccination uptake and health literacy in the population.

Trials

1 The efficacy of an online exercise intervention for improving depressive symptoms among patients with subthreshold depression in primary care: a randomized controlled trial 
Grant/Fund: HMRF #21220291
PI: Prof. Samuel Wong
2 Can TElemedicine system replace doctor consultations to Achieve non-inferior blood pressure in patients with Controlled Hypertension (TEACH)? a randomised controlled trial and cost-minimization analysis 
Grant/Fund: HMRF #21220241
PI: Prof. Eric Lee
3 Effectiveness and mechanisms of isometric resistance exercise to reduce blood pressure in a Chinese population: a randomized-controlled trial 
Grant/Fund: GRF #14108224
PI: Prof. Eric Lee
1Effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in primary care: a randomised controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: GRF #14609021

PI: Prof. Samuel Wong
2The effects of mindfulness-based intervention for loneliness on older adults: a randomised controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: GRF #14609020

PI: Prof. Samuel Wong
3Combining mind body physical exercise, cognitive training, and nurse-led risk factor modification to enhance cognition among older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: HMRF #16170421

PI: Prof. Samuel Wong
4The feasibility and effects of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) on reducing craving and addictive behaviour in local adults with substance abuse disorders 

Grant/Fund: Beat Drug Fund #180056

PI: Prof. Samuel Wong
5Dextrose Prolotherapy injection improves dynamic postural balance and reduces number of recurrent sprains in Chronic Ankle Instability: A one-year randomized placebo-controlled trial

PI: Prof. Regina Sit
6Feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on patients with nocturnal hypertension: A pilot randomized controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: HMRF #20210541

PI: Prof. Eric Lee
7Home blood pressure during night-time sleep as a better treatment target for patients with hypertension: a proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: HMRF #18190461

PI: Prof. Eric Lee

Publications

PCCT Publication Authors
PCCT Publication Year
PCCT Publication Focus Area

BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 400.

Mak, B. S. W., Zhang, D., Powell, C. L. Y. M., Leung, M. K. W., Lo, H. H. M., Yang, X., Yip, B. H. K., Lee, E. K. P., Xu, Z., & Wong, S. Y. S.* (2024). 

Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice. 2025 Dec 31;18(1):2463435.

Lee EKP, Wang S, Yip BH, Yu EY, Leung SY, Han J, Choi YK, Chow KF, Chung WH, Yan BP, Mihailidou AS.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2025;26(1)

Lo HHM, Fong PYH, Wang B, Fung CL-C, Wong SY-S, Sit RWS*.

JMIR Serious Games 12 (2024/9/27 2024): e52563. (IF 3.8, rank 24/174 Health Care Sciences & Services, JCR 2023)

Lo, Hermione Hin Man, Marques Ng, Pak Yiu Hugo Fong, Harmony Hoi Ki Lai, Bo Wang, Samuel Yeung-shan Wong, and Regina Wing Shan Sit*.

Chronic Dis Transl Med. 2024 Mar;10(1):12-21. doi: 10.1002/cdt3.89. eCollection 2024 Mar. Review. PubMed PMID: 38450300; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10914011.

Xiong Y, Huo Z, Wong SYS, Yip BHK*. 

Nutrients. 2023 Apr 20;15(8):1982

Wong MCS*, Zhang L, Ching JYL, Mak JWY, Huang J, Wang S, Mok CKP, Wong A, Chiu OL, Fung YT, Cheong PK, Tun HM, Ng SC, Chan FKL.

Journal of Medical Systems. 2023 Mar 11;47(1):34.

Wang S, Leung M, Leung SY,  Han J, Leung W, Hui E, Mihailidou AS, Kam-Fai Tsoi K, Chi-Sang Wong M, Wong SY, Lee EKP.

Mindfulness, 14(1), 50-65.

Zhang, D., Tsang, K.W.K., Duncan, L.G., Yip, B.H.K., Chan, D.C.C., Lee, E.K.P., Gao, T.T., Tam, W.H., Lam, K.Y., Tong, W.H., Bardacke, N., Wong, S.Y.S.* (2023). 

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation 20. 2022;19.

Huo Z, Lin J, Bat BKK, Chan TK, Yip BHK, Tsoi KKF.

International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2022 Jan;37(1).

Lee EKP, Wong B, Chan PH, Zhang DD, Sun W, Chan DC, Gao T, Ho F, Kwok TC, Wong SY.

Value in Health. 2021 Dec;24(12):1853-1862.

Huo Z, Chan JY, Lin J, Bat BK, Chan TK, Tsoi KK, Yip BH*.

American Journal of Hypertension. 2021 Jul 1;34(7):753-9.

Lee EKP, Zhang DD, Yip BH, Cheng J, Hui SS, Yu EY, Leung M, Chu WC, Mihailidou AS, Wong SY. 

The Annals of Family Medicine 2020;18(3):235-242. 

Regina Sit WS*, Ricky Wu WK, D Rabago, Kenneth D Reeves, Dicken Chan CC, Benjamin Yip HK, Vincent Chung CH, Samuel Wong YS. 

British Journal of General Practice 71, no. 704 (2021): e226-e236. 

Sit, Regina Wing Shan*, Shirley Yue Kwan Choi, Bo Wang, Dicken Cheong Chun Chan, Dexing Zhang, Benjamin Hon Kei Yip, and Samuel Yeung Shan Wong. 

Journal of Psychiatric Research, 132, 111–115.

Sun, Y., Wong, S. Y. S*., Zhang, D., Chen, C. H. J., & Yip, B. H. K. (2021).

Annals of Family Medicine. 2018; 16: 521-529. (IF 4.54, rank 1/19 in Primary Health Care, JCR 2017)

Sit RWS*, Chan KKW, Zou D, Chan DCC, Yip BHK, Zhang DD, Chan YH, Chung VCH, Reeves KD, Wong SYS.

BMJ Open, 8(11), e022514. 

Chan, S. K. C., Zhang, D., Bögels, S. M., Chan, C. S., Lai, K. Y. C., Lo, H. H. M., Yip, B. H. K., Lau, E. N. S., Gao, T. T., & Wong, S. Y. S.* (2018).