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Behavioral Intervention

Daoist Zhanzhuang for Inflammation (Z-Flo Trial)

N/A
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
1. young adults aged between 18 and 25 years old when they enroll;
2. be willing and available (e.g., intend to remain in Charlotte or the surrounding area or willing to travel to UNCC campus for in person visits) to participate to 12 month study;
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline t1 (before the intervention), the end of three-week intensive practice (t2), the end of the 3-month intervention (t3), the 6-month follow-up (t4), and the 12-month follow-up (t5).
Awards & highlights

Summary

This project investigates the impact of Daoist Zhanzhuang (sometimes spelled as Chan Chuang) on human flourishing, and explores the physiological, psychological, and spiritual mechanisms. This study will be a two-arm randomized controlled trial, with mixed-methods and repeated-measures assessment of outcome variables. The two arms will include an active control condition (i.e., sham wall squat) and the Daoist Zhanzhuang condition. Outcome variables will include physiological measures of heart rate variability and inflammatory biomarkers, psychological scales of human flourishing variables, phenomenological interviews of mystical experiences, and daily ecological momentary assessment of human flourishing and mysticism. Randomly assigned into two conditions, 120 participants will complete a three-week intensive practice phase with 9 in-person sessions, followed by a nine-week self-guided practice phase with 4 in-person check-in sessions, and 3 follow-up practice and assessment sessions. Complete assessment (physiological measures, psychological scales, and phenomenological interviews) will be administered at five time points: T1 at about two weeks before the intervention, T2 at the end of the three-week intensive practice, T3 at the end of the 3-month intervention, T4 at the 6-month follow-up, and T5 at the 12-month follow-up. In addition, daily ecological momentary assessment of flourishing variables and practice-induced experiences will be administered daily after the practice for the entire 3-month intervention period.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for individuals interested in exploring the effects of Daoist Zhanzhuang, a form of standing meditation, on well-being. Participants should be willing to commit to a three-week intensive practice followed by nine weeks of self-guided exercises and follow-ups over a year.
What is being tested?
The study compares two groups: one practicing Daoist Zhanzhuang and another doing sham wall squats as an active control. It measures heart rate variability, inflammation markers, psychological well-being, mystical experiences, and daily flourishing through various stages over twelve months.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this trial involves meditative practices rather than medical interventions, side effects are not typical but may include muscle fatigue or discomfort from prolonged standing during the meditation sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline t1 (before the intervention), the end of three-week intensive practice (t2), the end of the 3-month intervention (t3), the 6-month follow-up (t4), and the 12-month follow-up (t5).
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline t1 (before the intervention), the end of three-week intensive practice (t2), the end of the 3-month intervention (t3), the 6-month follow-up (t4), and the 12-month follow-up (t5). for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Decreased fatigue
Decreased inflammatory biomarker CRP
Decreased perceived stress
+5 more
Secondary study objectives
Decreased inflammatory biomarker cytokine IL-1ß
Decreased inflammatory biomarker cytokine IL-6
Decreased inflammatory biomarker cytokine TNF-a
+3 more
Other study objectives
Psychological Insight

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Daoist ZhanzhuangExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Individuals in this condition will learn and maintain the Zhanzhuang posture, endorsed by this study's religious practitioner and validated by two independent Daoist experts. The core posture involves: a) Standing with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and toes pointed forward; b) Opening the hips slightly to the side as if holding a ball between the legs; c) Sitting slightly back and tucking in the abdomen and tailbone; d) Keeping the back straight while holding in the chest; e) Raising the arms to a height over the chest but under the shoulders as if embracing a tree trunk; f) Facing palms toward the body with fingers apart as if holding a ball; g) Relaxing the shoulders and lowering the elbows in a stationary stance; h) Pointing the head upward as if balancing an object on top of the head; i) Tucking in the chin; j) Breathing naturally, with a focus on the lower abdominal area.
Group II: Sham Wall SquatActive Control1 Intervention
Individuals in this condition will be directed to perform a sham wall squat, essentially a prescribed way to stand straight leaning against the wall. Key instructions include: a) Standing tall with the head and back resting against the wall; b) Positioning feet shoulder-width apart and a foot away from the wall; c) Slightly bending and engaging leg muscles; d) Relaxing hands on the side of the body; e) Concentrating on the balance of weight.

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Who is running the clinical trial?

University of North Carolina, CharlotteLead Sponsor
25 Previous Clinical Trials
13,243 Total Patients Enrolled
~80 spots leftby Feb 2027
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