Trial reportPloS one2026
Comparison of the 24-Style Tai Chi intervention based on various promotion approaches on college students' mental health: A randomized controlled trial.
Trial report in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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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
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Comparative effects of structured exercise protocols on depression and anxiety symptoms: a network meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe escalating pace of academic pressures and social life have intensified mental health challenges among college students, including widespread anxiety and depression. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as exercise therapy, have gained prominence, with 24-Style Tai Chi emerging as a promising mind-body exercise due to its simplicity and potential mental health benefits. However, its effectiveness across various promotion approaches in higher education settings remains underexplored.
objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of different 24-Style Tai Chi promotion methods (on-site, online, mixed, and independent practice) on college students' mental health, assess intervention efficacy, and identify an optimal promotion strategy.
methodsA randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 250 college students from Shandong Sport University was conducted over 8 weeks. Participants were allocated to On-Site Promotion Group (Offline-PG), Online Promotion Group (Offline-PG), Mixed Promotion Group (MPG), Independent Practice Group (IPG), or Control Group (CG). Mental health was assessed using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks, and follow-up. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA (RM-ANOVA), and regression analysis to evaluate intervention effects and participation impacts.
resultsOffline-PG (90% attendance) and MPG (84% attendance) showed significant reductions in anxiety (SAS: Offline-PG 34.8 ± 6.3, MPG 36.2 ± 7.0, P < 0.01) and depression (SDS: Offline-PG 33.7 ± 6.9, MPG 34.9 ± 7.2, P < 0.05) by week 8. Online-PG (72% attendance) and MPG demonstrated significant self-efficacy improvements (GSES: Online-PG 36.1 ± 5.2, MPG 35.5 ± 5.6, P < 0.01). IPG (60% attendance) showed no significant changes. ANOVA revealed inter-group differences (SAS F = 6.45, P = 0.004; SDS F = 5.32, P = 0.009; GSES F = 6.74, P = 0.003), with RM-ANOVA confirming time effects. Regression analysis indicated participation strongly correlated with anxiety and depression reductions in Offline-PG (R = 0.62, P = 0.003) and MPG (R = 0.58, P = 0.004) and self-efficacy gains in Online-PG and MPG (R = 0.67, P = 0.002).
conclusion24-Style Tai Chi effectively improves college students' mental health, with on-site and mixed approaches excelling in reducing anxiety and depression, and online and mixed approaches enhancing self-efficacy. A hybrid promotion strategy is recommended to optimize participation and outcomes. Registration number: TCTR20250306005; https://thaiclinicaltrials.org/.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.