TCM Health Preservation for Depression

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hong Kong Chinese adults aged 18-years-old to 65-years-old;
• diagnosed with moderate level of depression (a score of 10~20), evaluated by thePatient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9);
• can communicate in spoken Cantonese and written Chinese;
• willing to provide written informed consent and be able to adhere to the studyprotocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• being pregnant or during the lactation, or plan to get pregnant;
• new onset or change of antidepressant medication or dosage in the last 3 months;
• PHQ-9 score≥20, meaning a severe level of depression;
• with a previous or present diagnosis of psychotic disorders as screened by the Chineseversion of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV;
• the score of Hong Kong Montreal Cognitive Assessment less than 22;
• significant suicidal risk as rated by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale item onsuicide (score ≥3);
• with diagnosis of illness which can interfere the individuals to participate or adhereto the modified lifestyle;
• with diagnosis of medical conditions, which are not suitable to modify diet or dophysical activities recommended by physicians;
• joining in another clinical trial during the study period;
• with any major medical condition that causes depression based on the judgement of theinvestigator.