Effectiveness of physical activity, mindfulness and mind-body therapies in improving mental health of university students: a systematic review of RCTS.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness practices, along with physical activity and mind-body therapies, in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress among university students.
Results Summary
Mindfulness interventions, along with other methods, significantly reduced anxiety, depression, and stress in 89% of the reviewed studies, with positive effects observed across various intervention types and durations.
Population
University students aged 18-25 without severe mental health conditions.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
1 to 16 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
physical activity (PA) interventions like aerobic and strength training | decrease | anxiety | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #1 |
physical activity (PA) interventions like aerobic and strength training | decrease | depression | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #2 |
physical activity (PA) interventions like aerobic and strength training | decrease | stress | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #3 |
mindfulness practices such as meditation | decrease | anxiety | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #4 |
mindfulness practices such as meditation | decrease | depression | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #5 |
mindfulness practices such as meditation | decrease | stress | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #6 |
mind-body therapies (MBT) such as yoga and Qigong-Baduanjin | decrease | anxiety | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #7 |
mind-body therapies (MBT) such as yoga and Qigong-Baduanjin | decrease | depression | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #8 |
mind-body therapies (MBT) such as yoga and Qigong-Baduanjin | decrease | stress | university students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions | - | led to significant reductions | #9 |
PA, mindfulness and MBT | increase | MH | university students | - | effective strategies for enhancing | #10 |
INTRODUCTION: University students face mental health (MH) issues like anxiety, depression, and stress, highlighting the need for effective interventions to improve well-being and academic success. METHODS: This review examined 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2000 to 2023, following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2,325 students, aged 18-25 without severe MH conditions, participated in physical activity (PA) interventions like aerobic and strength training, mindfulness practices such as meditation and mind-body therapies (MBT) such as yoga and Qigong-Baduanjin, over 1 to 16 wk. RESULTS: In 89% of studies, interventions led to significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress, with positive effects across various intervention types and durations. DISCUSSION: The findings support PA, mindfulness and MBT as effective strategies for enhancing MH among university students, though more research with standardized methods and long-term follow-ups is recommended.