Ancient daoist practice tested for stress relief and Well-Being
NCT ID NCT06573034
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a traditional Daoist standing meditation called Zhanzhuang (standing like a tree) can reduce stress, inflammation, and improve overall well-being. 120 young adults aged 18-25 with moderate stress will be randomly assigned to either practice Zhanzhuang or do a sham wall squat for 3 months, with follow-ups up to 12 months. Researchers will measure heart rate, stress hormones, and psychological health to understand how the practice works.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 25 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 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; 3. able to stand for 30 minutes; 4. scoring above 18 on the Perceived Stress Scale (moderate stress); and 5. able to read, speak and understand English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. experience of qigong-related practice in the past 5 years; 2. reporting regular medication use that directly modulates immune system functioning (e.g., steroids, cytokine inhibitors, high levels of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, chemotherapy, etc.) or sedates the nervous system (e.g., benzodiazepines, anti-epileptics, tranquilizers, etc.) or alters heart rate (e.g., beta blockers, calcium channel blocker, stimulants, etc.); 3. self-reported illicit drug use in the past 3 months or substance dependence over the past month (e.g., alcohol binge drinking 2+ days/week, using tobacco or nicotine products 5+ days/week, cannabis and related products 2+ days/week, etc.); 4. physical impairment that does not allow them to stand for 30 mins (e.g., severe obesity, need wheel-chair or equipment to assist with walking, recent injury that limits standing, etc.), and 5. severe mental health conditions that could prevent regular practice (e.g., hospitalized in the past 12 months for mental health condition).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
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A doctor treating you
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Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
RECRUITINGCharlotte, North Carolina, 28223, United States
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