Effects of Traditional Chinese Fitness Exercises on Negative Emotions and Sleep Disorders in College Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of regular traditional Chinese fitness exercises on negative emotions and sleep disorders in college students, and to provide evidence-based evidence and new ideas for the negative emotions and sleep disorders among the college students.MethodsA systematic search using 5 English (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library) and 4 Chinese (CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and CBM) databases were initiated to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effect of traditional Chinese fitness exercises on negative emotions and sleep disorders among college students. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the pooled effect of the intervention. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the methodological quality and the data were analyzed with Review Manager 5.4.ResultsA total of 12 RCTs were included, including 1,052 subjects. The results showed a potential beneficial effect of traditional Chinese fitness exercises on reducing depression [SMD = −0.93, 95 %CI (−1.76, −0. 10)], anxiety [SMD = −0.74, 95%CI (−0.93, −0.54)], and the sleep disorders [SMD = −2.77, 95%CI (−4.57, −0.97)] symptoms, and these effects were better than in the control group.ConclusionThe findings of this review suggested the traditional Chinese fitness exercises could improve both the negative moods and sleep disorders compared with that of healthy students, the effect on college students with mild to moderate psychological symptoms was obviously improved. The SCL-90 scale is better than the SDS scale in evaluating the improvement effect of traditional Chinese fitness exercises on depression. It was the best intervention program on negative emotions and sleep disorders among college students, with the intervention lasting 5 sessions per week for 30–60 min/session for over 12 weeks.

Interventions for psychiatric disorders among university students: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

“…Of the 19 included systematic reviews, 26 % ( n = 5) ( Bolinski et al., 2020 ; Huber et al., 2022 ; Lin et al., 2022 ; Luo, Zhang, Liu, Ma & Jennings, 2022 ; Oliveira Silva et al., 2023 ) studies were rated as “high”, 26 % ( n = 5) ( Gong et al., 2023 ) ( Yang, Guo, Cheng & Zhang, 2022 ) ( Harrer et al., 2019 ; Huntley et al., 2019 ; Ma, Zhang & Cui, 2019 ) as “moderate”, 37 % ( n = 7) ( Chandler et al., 2022 ; Du et al., 2022 ) ( Chen et al., 2021 ; Lo et al., 2018 ; Luan et al., 2022 ) ( Huang, Nigatu, Smail-Crevier, Zhang & Wang, 2018 ; Song, Liu, Huang, Wu & Tao, 2021 ) as “low” and 11 % ( n = 2) ( Regehr, Glancy & Pitts, 2013 ; Zhang, Li & Wang, 2022 ) as “critically low” quality with the AMSTAR2 scoring system. Supplementary Table 1 presented the details of the quality of each included study evaluated using the AMSTAR2 tool.…”

“…A total of 15 meta-analyses assessed the effects of exercise interventions including Baduanjin, Taichi, Wuqinxi, traditional Chinese exercises, and aerobic exercise on mental illness, of which 7 ( Du et al., 2022 ; Lin et al., 2022 ; Song et al., 2021 ; Yang et al., 2022 ) meta-analyses related to depression, 7( Du et al., 2022 ; Lin et al., 2022 ; Luo et al., 2022 ; Song et al., 2021 ; Zhang et al., 2022 ) related to anxiety and 1( Lin et al., 2022 ) related to mood changes. 10 re-analyses were nominally statistically significant under random effects models ( P <0.05), however, only one 95 % prediction interval excluded the null value.…”

Comparing the effectiveness of type of the traditional Chinese exercises, frequency, intensity, time in osteoporosis: a protocol for systematic evaluation and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

“…They combine balance and coordination capacity on the basis of aerobic exercise and emphasise the physical–psychological connection 38. Because of this, these traditional sports are very popular among people of all ages in China and have become quite popular around the world in recent years 39. Evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of TCEs in improving cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal system function and quality of life in older adults 13 14 23.…”

“…38 Because of this, these traditional sports are very popular among people of all ages in China and have become quite popular around the world in recent years. 39 Evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of TCEs in improving cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal system function and quality of life in older adults. 13 14 23 A number of studies have found TCEs to have a positive effect in increasing BMD, relieving pain, improving muscle mass and preventing falls in patients with OP.…”

The role and regulation mechanism of Chinese traditional fitness exercises on the bone and cartilage tissue in patients with osteoporosis: A narrative review

“…Chinese traditional fitness exercises are aerobic exercises, guided by medical theories; it pays attention to the unity of mind, breath regulation, and movement. Moreover, it is the product of the organic integration of guiding techniques, such as qigong, martial arts, and medicine (Jahnke et al, 2010;Yeung et al, 2018;Yang et al, 2022). Regardless of the kind of traditional Chinese fitness exercise, it is based on the theories of yin and yang, zang-fu organs, qi and blood, meridians, and collaterals of traditional Chinese medicine.…”