Effectiveness of physical activity, mindfulness and mind-body therapies in improving mental health of university students: a systematic review of RCTS.
Laura García-pérez, Maria Elena Atencia-Rodriguez, Mar Cepero-González, Rosario Padial-Ruz
Journal of American college health : J of ACH April 22, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2025.2492174 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,325 |
| Population | University students aged 18-25 without severe mental health conditions |
| Interventions | Physical activity Mindfulness Mind-body therapies |
| Duration | 1 to 16 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Face-to-face interventions Mental health Mind-body therapies Physical activity University students |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Physical activity, mindfulness, and mind-body therapies significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and stress in university students, with 89% of reviewed studies showing positive effects. |
Abstract
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. 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. In 89% of studies, interventions led to significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress, with positive effects across various intervention types and durations. 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.