Trial reportPloS one2024
Effects of Tai Chi on anxiety and theta oscillation power in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial.
Trial report in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Traditional Chinese mind-body practices on anxiety levels in university students: a multilevel dose-response meta-analysis.BMC psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Effects of Tai Chi on Mental Health in college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in public health · 2026Pooled it
- Tai Chi, brain activity and psychological outcomes: a systematic scoping review.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Pooled it
- A bibliometric and visualization analysis for global research trends in Wushu and mental health (1981-2024).Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- Efficacy of Taiji Stick exercise on sleep quality and anxiety in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Smartphone addiction and sleep quality in the physical activity-anxiety link: a mediation-moderation model.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- The effect of 8-week Tai Chi training on emotional regulation in female college students: an ERP study of N2 and P3 under a modified oddball paradigm.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Article
- Electroencephalography-Based Measures to Understand Meditation and Mindfulness: Bibliometric Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Global advances in integrative medicine and healthReview
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCollege students, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, face substantial psychological stress. This study investigates the impact of Tai Chi (TC) practice on anxiety levels and theta oscillatory power activation characteristics among college students, aiming to provide empirical evidence for their psychological well-being.
methodsIn this randomized controlled trial with 45 healthy college students, brainwave activity and changes in anxiety levels were measured. A 2 (TC group vs control group)×2 (pre-test vs post-test) factorial design was analyzed to explore TC's regulatory effects on brainwave activity and anxiety.
resultsFollowing 12 weeks of TC practice, the TC group exhibited a significant decrease in state-trait anxiety differences (-6.14±14.33), state anxiety differences (-3.45±7.57), and trait anxiety differences (-2.68±7.43), contrasting with an increase in the control group. Moreover, contrasting with a decrease in the control group, TC group demonstrated significance increased theta oscillatory power in C3, C4, F4, P3, T7, and T8, and a significant negative correlations were observed between state anxiety and F4-θ (r = -0.31, p = 0.04), T7-θ (r = -0.43, p = 0.01), and T8-θ (r = -0.30, p = 0.05).
conclusionThe positive influence of TC on college students' psychological well-being and brain function is evident, leading to reduced anxiety levels and increased theta oscillatory activity. While encouraging further research to delve into the mechanisms of TC on anxiety and theta brainwave characteristics, the study recommends actively promoting TC practice among college students to enhance mental health and address post-pandemic psychological challenges.
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