Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Daoist Zhanzhuang and Human Flourishing
Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Charlotte
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.
Official title: Standing Like a Tree: Effects and Mechanisms of Daoist Zhanzhuang on Human Flourishing
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 25 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2024-08-29
Completion Date
2027-07
Last Updated
2024-12-06
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Daoist Zhanzhuang
Each session of practice will last 30 minutes, and participants are expected to participate every day for 3 months. During the initial 3 weeks, participants will engage in in-person sessions 3 times a week. On non-session days, they can choose to either attend a Zoom practice session with the coach or submit a recording of their individual practice for fidelity check. In Week 4, participants will attend an in-person session for both practice and assessment. Over the subsequent 8 weeks, participants will either attend in-person or Zoom sessions, with a total of 3 check-in sessions.
Sham Wall Squat
Same as the Zhanzhuang group.
Locations (1)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States