EL-SHIN: lavender, gratitude, fasting with exercise and light therapy for depressive symptoms
Enhancing the Efficacy of Depression and Low Mood Treatment: A Novel Adjunctive Approach
This trial will see if EL-SHIN—a combined lavender, gratitude, and fasting plus exercise and light therapy program—can help English-speaking adults with moderate depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Monash University Malaysia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kuala Lumpur) |
| Trial ID | NCT06995807 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
EL-SHIN Therapy combines three components—lavender aromatherapy, a structured GRATEFULNESS® program, and a regimen of fasting paired with exercise and light therapy—delivered in English over 3–4 weeks. The protocol includes a quantitative clinical phase using DASS-21, MHQoL, and SQS outcome measures and a qualitative focus group to capture participant experiences. Eligible participants are adults over 18 with specified moderate DASS-21 scores, English literacy, non-Muslim status, and belief in Creationism, while those with other medical conditions or on current medications are excluded. Interventions are administered at Monash University Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who are English-literate, non-Muslim, believe in Creationism, have moderate DASS-21 depression/anxiety/stress scores, and have no other medical conditions or current medications are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: People who are Muslim, non-English-literate, on current medications, have other medical conditions, or whose depression falls outside the specified moderate DASS-21 range are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, EL-SHIN could provide a short-term, non-pharmacologic adjunct to reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Some individual elements—lavender aromatherapy, gratitude practices, and light/exercise therapies—have supportive evidence, but the specific EL-SHIN combination including fasting is novel and largely untested together.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: Above 18 yrs old * DASS-21 scores: "Moderately Depressed (Score: 14-20)", "Moderately Anxious (Score: 10-14)" \& "Moderately Stressed (Score: 19-25)" * Non-Muslim (Due to legal restriction in Malaysia for this religion) * English literate * Believers in Creationism Exclusion Criteria: * Muslim (legal restrictions in Malaysia for this religion). * Non-English literate (research will be conducted in English only). * Individuals with any other medical conditions or on current medication To reduce potential complications or confounding factors).
Where this trial is running
Kuala Lumpur
- Monash University Malaysia — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ai Shin Lim, Phd — Monash University Malaysia
- Study coordinator: Ai Shin Lim, Phd
- Email: Ai.lim@monash.edu
- Phone: +60162303067
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.