Effect of Sun Tai Chi on the Cardiopulmonary System and Mental Health in University Students

Официальное название

Effect of Sun Tai Chi on the Cardiopulmonary System and Mental Health in University Students: A Mixed Randomized Clinical Trial

Обзор

Currently, university students face physical and mental health issues, which are reflected in low levels of physical activity, a decline in healthy eating behaviors, and a high prevalence of mental health symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is necessary to develop safe, effective, and sustainable interventions that support comprehensive health and provide formative experiences that reinforce the importance of developing healthy lifestyle habits and self-care. In this regard, Tai Chi has been shown to offer physical and mental health benefits. Tai Chi is a low- to moderate-intensity exercise with low joint impact, which facilitates the transition from a sedentary to an active lifestyle. Considering the health problems experienced by university students, it is proposed that a Tai Chi intervention could help produce beneficial effects on both physical and mental health. In this context, the present study aims to implement Tai Chi classes with the objective of determining their effect on the cardiac autonomic system, mental health, and the perception of benefits, facilitators, and barriers among participating university students compared to a control group.

Подробное описание

In Chile, there are currently over 1.2 million undergraduate university students who exhibit low levels of physical activity and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These problems tend to worsen after the first year of higher education, along with the development of unhealthy eating habits and weight gain.

In this context, Tai Chi has shown multiple benefits for overall health. Specifically, the Sun style of Tai Chi is characterized by gentle and accessible movements, making it well-suited to the university setting, and has demonstrated positive effects on both physical and mental health.

Previous studies indicate that regular practice of Tai Chi may positively influence autonomic cardiac control, measured through heart rate variability (HRV), as well as mental health. However, the available evidence is still limited and heterogeneous.

This study aims to evaluate, in university students, the effects of a 6-week Sun Tai Chi program, with 60-minute sessions held twice per week, on the following:

* Heart Rate Variability (HRV), as a marker of cardiovascular health and stress, * Mental health, assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 Items (DASS-21 scale), * Participants' qualitative perceptions regarding the program's benefits, barriers, and facilitators.

Given the limited research on Tai Chi in university student populations, this study seeks to contribute evidence on its potential comprehensive health benefits in this group.

Вмешательства

• Другое Tai Chi (Sun Style)
  The Sun Tai Chi intervention will be conducted by a Sun Tai Chi instructor with 7 years of teaching experience and will take place in an exercise room at the Catholic University of Maule. The intervention will last for 6 weeks, with a frequency of twice per week, and each class will last 60 minutes. Each session will begin with 10 minutes of warm-up exercises, followed by 20 minutes of basic Sun Tai Chi exercises, including lower limb movements, overall body mobility at a slow pace, precise move
• Поведенческое Health lifestyle education
  The control group will receive guidance on a healthy physical and mental lifestyle.

Первичные конечные точки

• DASS-21 stress [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• DASS-21 anxiety [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• DASS-21 depression [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• Low frequency (LF) [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• High frequency (HF) [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• Low frequency/Hight frequency ratio (LF/HF) [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• Pattern with no variation (0V) [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• Pattern with two unlike variation (2ULV) [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) [Срок оценки: Time Frame: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]
• LFSAP [Срок оценки: Time Frame: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]

Вторичные конечные точки (1)

• VO2 Peak [Срок оценки: Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention]

Критерии участия

Критерии включения

• Undergraduate university students
• Aged 18 to 29 years
• Both sexes
• Present mental health symptoms assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire, according to cutoff points established by Lovibond et al., ranging from mild to severe in any of the subscales of stress (score 15 to 33), anxiety (score 8 to 19), or depression (score 10 to 27).
• Report a healthy physical condition suitable for Tai Chi practice (self-reported).

Критерии исключения

• Engage in a high level of physical activity according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) or have regularly practiced moderate to high intensity physical activity in the last 3 months.
• Report chronic illnesses that limit or contraindicate the practice of exercises required in Tai Chi.
• Present cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological diseases.
• Exhibit either no mental health impairment or severe impairment according to cutoff scores established by Lovibond et al. in the DASS-21 questionnaire (stress subscale score lower than 15 or greater than 33, anxiety subscale score lower than 8 or greater than 19, depression subscale score lower than 10 or greater than 27).
• Present specific psychiatric diagnoses, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), self-reported.
• Consume medications for mental health treatment.
• Consume medications or substances that influence cardiac autonomic modulation (e.g., beta-blockers).

Критерии приведены из реестра в оригинале (на английском). Окончательную оценку соответствия проводит исследовательский центр.

Здоровые добровольцы: Нет

Дизайн исследования

Распределение

Рандомизированное

Модель

Параллельные группы

Маскирование

Простое слепое

Основная цель

Лечение

Центры проведения

Чили · 1 центр

• Universidad Católica del Maule — Talca

Идентификаторы

NCT: NCT07044154 · 90/2025

Первоисточники (государственные реестры)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH, США)

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