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.

Our Vision

To be a leading primary care–based clinical trial unit delivering high-quality, patient-centred research through strong partnerships.

Our Services

1. Trial Development

  • Protocol design & development
  • Feasibility assessment

2. Trial Set-Up

  • Ethics Submission
  • Site initiation
  • Vendors selection
  • System configuration

3. Trial Management

  • Project coordination
  • Stakeholder communication
  • Vendors management
  • Risk management

4. Trial Conduct

  • Patient screening, recruitment & follow-up
  • Data collection & monitoring
  • Safety reporting

5. Trial Oversight

  • Regulations & Ethics Compliance
  • Protocol adherence
  • Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC)

6. Statistical Analysis

  • Data cleaning & validation Statistical planning, +/- cost effectiveness analysis, +/- qualitative analysis
  • Interim & final analysis

7. Reporting

  • Clinical study report (CSR)
  • Publications & dissemination

Our Investigators

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 Effects of mindfulness-based training on the microbiome of older adults with chronic stress: A randomised controlled trial Grant/Fund: GRF 14115025 PI: Prof. Samuel Wong
2 Risk Assessment and Management Program (RAMP)on knee osteoarthritis in primary Care – a one-year pragmatic randomized controlled trial Grant/Fund: HMRF 21220281 PI: Dr. Regina Sit
3 Life-Style Medicine for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Older People: A pragmatic, randomized controlled clinical trial Grant/Fund: Private Funds PI: Dr. Regina Sit
4 Development of local adaptable acupuncture indications for patients with musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases in Hong Kong primary care settings: Recommendations guided by the GRADE ADOLOPMENT approach Grant/Fund: Chinese Medicine Development Fund (CMDF) 23B2/021A PI: Dr. Regina Sit
5 Endothelins in mechanoaging and osteoarthritis: biomarker discovery and drug development Grant/Fund: The Collaborative Research Fund (CRF) PI: Dr. Regina Sit
6 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
7 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: Dr. Eric Lee
8 Effectiveness and mechanisms of isometric resistance exercise to reduce blood pressure in a Chinese population: a randomized-controlled trial Grant/Fund: GRF 14108224 PI: Dr. Eric Lee
1

Effects 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

2

The effects of mindfulness-based intervention for loneliness on older adults: a randomised controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: GRF #14609020

PI: Prof. Samuel Wong

3

Combining 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

4

The 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

5

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

PI: Dr. Regina Sit

6

Feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on patients with nocturnal hypertension: A pilot randomized controlled trial 

Grant/Fund: HMRF #20210541

PI: Dr. Eric Lee

7

Home 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: Dr. Eric Lee

Our Trial 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*.

Scientific Reports 15, no. 1 (2025/02/11 2025): 5141

Choi, Yue Kwan, Regina Wing-Shan Sit*, Bo Wang, Christina Cheuk, Man Kei Lee, and Kwan Wa Maria Leung

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:

Tel: (852) 2609 5050

Email: pcctu.sphpc@cuhk.edu.hk

Address: Room 10, 4/F, Lek Yuen Health Centre, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong (Map)

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