Open Access

ARTICLE

Effects of Three Various Frequencies of 24-Form Tai Chi on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in College Students

Yumeng Kong^*, Xuesong Guo, Yifei Wang

College of Sports Science, Qufu Normal University, Jining, 272000, China

* Corresponding Author: Yumeng Kong. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Enhancing Mental Health through Physical Activity: Exploring Resilience Across Populations and Life Stages)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(10), 1577-1594. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.069985

Received 04 July 2025; Accepted 30 September 2025; Issue published 31 October 2025

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among university students, calling for effective non-pharmacological interventions. Tai Chi shows potential in reducing these symptoms, but research on its effects at different frequencies in younger populations is limited. This study compared the impacts of high-(5 sessions/week), medium-(3 sessions/week), and low-frequency (2 sessions/week) 24-form Tai Chi on college students’ anxiety/depression, versus a control group. Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 120 university students with mild-to-moderate anxiety/depression, randomly assigned to 4 groups (30 each). The 8-week intervention used the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) for assessments at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Analyses included paired t-tests (within-group changes), one-way ANOVA (between-group differences), repeated measures ANOVA (RM-ANOVA, temporal changes), and Mixed Model for Repeated Measures (MMRM, longitudinal changes with missing data). Results: All intervention groups had significant SAS/SDS reductions: high-frequency group (SAS: 20.4%, t = 7.21, p < 0.001; SDS: 22.1%, t = 6.92, p < 0.001) > medium-frequency group (SAS: 18.3%, t = 5.06, p < 0.001; SDS: 19.8%, t = 5.18, p < 0.001) > low-frequency group (SAS: 15.2%, t = 4.09, p < 0.001; SDS: 17.4%, t = 4.67, p < 0.001). No changes were seen in the control group. The high-frequency group outperformed the low-frequency and control groups (p < 0.05); RM-ANOVA and MMRM confirmed sustained, time-dependent effects, with the high-frequency group being optimal. Conclusion: 24-form Tai Chi effectively reduces college students’ anxiety/depression, with efficacy increasing with frequency (high > medium > low). The high-frequency protocol (5 sessions/week) is the most effective non-pharmacological intervention, and MMRM confirms its sustained efficacy.

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