Physical and psychological impacts of Tai Chi on college students and the determination of optimal dose: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

IF 1.9 4区医学 Q3 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

European Journal of Integrative Medicine Pub Date : 2025-03-29 DOI:10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102450

Guohao Wang , Yi Liu , Chan Peng , Ting Shen , Bingbing Du , Lijuan Yi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Physical inactivity among college students is a global health concern linked to adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Tai Chi, a mind-body exercise rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, has shown promise in addressing these issues through its dual physiological and psychosocial benefits. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on Tai Chi's effects on college students' well-being and identify optimal implementation parameters.

Method

The protocol for this meta-analysis has been registered with International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews platform (PROSPERO, CRD42022380005). We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Wan Fang Data, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Medicine Database (CBM) databases from inception to July 2022 (updated January 2024) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Tai Chi's physical/psychological impacts on college students. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed bias risk using Cochrane Handbook 5.2. Meta-analyses were performed in RevMan 5.4, with subgroup analyses to determine optimal exercise parameters.

Results

We included a total of 26 trials with 1806 participants. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that Tai Chi exerts a positive influence on the physical and mental well-being of college students. Specifically, it led to an enhancement in vital capacity (MD=41.96; 95 % CI, 31.49 to 52.44), and a reduction in anxiety (SMD= -0.22; 95 % CI, -0.37 to -0.08;) and depression symptoms (SMD= -0.17; 95 % CI, -0.30 to -0.04). Subgroup analysis revealed optimal parameters for depression (>12 weeks, ≥4 sessions/week, each >50 min, total >150 min/week) and anxiety (>12 weeks, ≥4 sessions/week, each 30–50 min, total >150 min/week).

Conclusion

Tai Chi exhibits meaningful benefits for respiratory function and mental health in college students, though effects on other physiological markers remain inconclusive. While these evidence-based parameters provide practical guidance, methodological limitations (e.g., regional bias, heterogeneous interventions) necessitate cautious interpretation. Future trials should prioritize standardized protocols and long-term follow-up to optimize Tai Chi's role in campus wellness programs.

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太极拳对大学生身心的影响及最佳剂量的确定：随机对照试验的系统回顾和荟萃分析

大学生缺乏身体活动是一个全球性的健康问题，与不利的身心健康结果有关。太极拳是一种源于传统中医的身心运动，通过其在生理和心理上的双重益处，有望解决这些问题。本系统回顾与荟萃分析旨在综合太极对大学生幸福感影响的证据，并确定最佳实施参数。方法本荟萃分析的方案已在国际前瞻性系统评价注册平台（PROSPERO, CRD42022380005）注册。我们系统地检索了PubMed、Cochrane图书馆、Embase、中国知网（CNKI）、中国万方数据、中国科学期刊数据库（VIP）和中国生物医学数据库（CBM）数据库，从成立到2022年7月（更新于2024年1月）进行随机对照试验（RCTs），评估太极拳对大学生的生理/心理影响。两位审稿人独立筛选研究，提取数据，并使用Cochrane Handbook 5.2评估偏倚风险。在RevMan 5.4中进行meta分析，通过亚组分析确定最佳运动参数。结果共纳入26项试验，纳入1806名受试者。meta分析结果显示，太极拳对大学生身心健康有正向影响。具体而言，它导致肺活量增加(MD=41.96；95% CI, 31.49 - 52.44)，焦虑减少(SMD= -0.22；95% CI, -0.37至-0.08;)和抑郁症状(SMD= -0.17；95% CI, -0.30 ~ -0.04)。亚组分析显示抑郁（12周，≥4次/周，每次>；50分钟，总>；150分钟/周）和焦虑（12周，≥4次/周，每次30-50分钟，总>；150分钟/周）的最佳参数。结论太极拳对大学生的呼吸功能和心理健康有显著的益处，但对其他生理指标的影响尚不明确。虽然这些以证据为基础的参数提供了实际指导，但方法上的局限性（例如，区域偏见、异质干预）需要谨慎解释。未来的试验应优先考虑标准化方案和长期随访，以优化太极拳在校园健康计划中的作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Integrative Medicine INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

4.00%

发文量

102

审稿时长

33 days

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Integrative Medicine (EuJIM) considers manuscripts from a wide range of complementary and integrative health care disciplines, with a particular focus on whole systems approaches, public health, self management and traditional medical systems. The journal strives to connect conventional medicine and evidence based complementary medicine. We encourage submissions reporting research with relevance for integrative clinical practice and interprofessional education. EuJIM aims to be of interest to both conventional and integrative audiences, including healthcare practitioners, researchers, health care organisations, educationalists, and all those who seek objective and critical information on integrative medicine. To achieve this aim EuJIM provides an innovative international and interdisciplinary platform linking researchers and clinicians. The journal focuses primarily on original research articles including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, other clinical studies, qualitative, observational and epidemiological studies. In addition we welcome short reviews, opinion articles and contributions relating to health services and policy, health economics and psychology.