TY  - EJOU
AU  - Kong, Yumeng 
AU  - Guo, Xuesong 
AU  - Wang, Yifei 

TI  - Effects of Three Various Frequencies of 24-Form Tai Chi on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in College Students
T2  - International Journal of Mental Health Promotion

PY  - 2025
VL  - 27
IS  - 10
SN  - 2049-8543

AB  -  <b>Background:</b> 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. <b>Methods:</b> 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 <i>t</i>-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). <b>Results:</b> All intervention groups had significant SAS/SDS reductions: high-frequency group (SAS: 20.4%, <i>t</i> = 7.21, <i>p</i> < 0.001; SDS: 22.1%, <i>t</i> = 6.92, <i>p</i> < 0.001) > medium-frequency group (SAS: 18.3%, <i>t</i> = 5.06, <i>p</i> < 0.001; SDS: 19.8%, <i>t</i> = 5.18, <i>p</i> < 0.001) > low-frequency group (SAS: 15.2%, <i>t</i> = 4.09, <i>p</i> < 0.001; SDS: 17.4%, <i>t</i> = 4.67, <i>p</i> < 0.001). No changes were seen in the control group. The high-frequency group outperformed the low-frequency and control groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05); RM-ANOVA and MMRM confirmed sustained, time-dependent effects, with the high-frequency group being optimal. <b>Conclusion:</b> 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.
KW  - Tai Chi; anxiety; depression; college students; intervention frequency; randomized controlled trial

DO  - 10.32604/ijmhp.2025.069985