Effect of Sun Tai Chi on the Cardiopulmonary System and Mental Health in University Students
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-29
SponsorUniversidad Católica del Maule
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
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).
Disqualifiers
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).
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Tai Chi (Sun Style)
Other interventionThe 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 movements of the hands and feet, and proper body alignment. This will be followed by 20 minutes of practice of the basic movement sequence of Sun Tai Chi (Taolú), and will conclude with 5 minutes of meditation and 5 minutes of relaxation exercises.
Health lifestyle education
BehavioralThe control group will receive guidance on a healthy physical and mental lifestyle.
Treatment groups
56 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Experimental: Sun Tai Chi GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: ControlOther 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
DASS-21 stress
Stress will be measured using the stress subdomain of the DASS-21, which ranges from 0 to 21 points, with higher scores indicating higher levels of stress.
Time frame
Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention2
DASS-21 anxiety
Anxiety will be measured using the anxiety subdomain of the DASS-21, which ranges from 0 to 21 points, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.
Time frame
Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention3
DASS-21 depression
Depression will be measured using the depression subdomain of the DASS-21, which ranges from 0 to 21 points, with higher scores indicating higher levels of depression.
Time frame
Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of intervention4
Low frequency (LF)
LF (ms2) is an index of parasympathetic and sympathetic cardiac autonomic modulation derived from the analysis of RR intervals (iRR).
Time frame
Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of interventionSecondary outcomes
1
VO2 Peak
Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak mL/kg/min) measured during a symptom-limited graded cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill or cycle ergometer, representing the highest volume of oxygen consumed during the test.
Time frame
Initial evaluation: Prior to the intervention (week 0) Final evaluation: After 6 weeks of interventionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov