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

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Mental Health Conditions, University Students

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07044154

Run by

Universidad Católica del Maule

People needed

56

Starts

2025-07-01

Expected to finish

2026-08-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-29

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 29. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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).

You may not qualify if…

• 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).

Where it is running

• Universidad Católica del Maule — Talca, Maule Region, Chile (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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