Integrating mindfulness and physical activity: a meta-analysis of mindful movement interventions for symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students.
Xinjian Xu, Borhannudin Bin Abdullah, Shamsulariffin Bin Samsudin, Yongneng Tan
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,697 |
| Population | University students |
| Interventions | tai chi qigong) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis University students Mindful movement practices Yoga Tai chi Student mental health Findings |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Mindful movement interventions significantly reduced anxiety and depression among university students, with no significant differences in effects across yoga, tai chi, and qigong. |
Abstract
University students are increasingly vulnerable to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, which have been associated with academic stress, job market uncertainty, and lifestyle-related factors such as physical inactivity and poor sleep habits. Mindful movement, defined as structured programs integrating mindfulness practice with physical movement, offers a holistic approach to reducing anxiety and depression, though its effectiveness and specific intervention differences-such as duration, delivery mode, and behavior change techniques-remain underexplored. This study evaluated the effects of mindful movement interventions on anxiety and depression among university students. A systematic search of six databases up to August 2024 identified 19 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 1,697 participants. A random-effects model was employed to pool effect sizes; subgroup analyses were conducted to explore sources of heterogeneity, and sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results. The meta-analysis indicated that mindful movement interventions significantly reduced anxiety (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.52 to -0.31], p < 0.0001, I 2 = 70%) and depression (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) = -0.61, 95% CI [-1.01 to -0.20], p < 0.0001, I 2 = 87%) compared to control groups. Subgroup analyses demonstrated no significant differences in effect sizes across different mindful movement types (yoga, tai chi, qigong). Meta-regression indicated that intervention type did not significantly explain heterogeneity (p = 0.495). Publication bias was not observed in most subgroups, except for potential bias in the tai chi group due to limited studies. Mindful movement interventions are associated with enhanced mental health among university students, with no significant differences in the effects of yoga, tai chi, and qigong on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It supports treating mindful movement as a unified approach to analyzing its impact on mental health. Residual heterogeneity highlights the need for further research on specific intervention elements and intervention and participant-related factors. PROSPERO registration number (CRD42024569238).
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Combined Effect of Mindfulness and Physical Activity on Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Behavioral Sciences September 11, 2026
- The Influence of Mindfulness-Enhanced Resistance Training Program on the Subjective Well-Being of Female College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Behavioral Sciences April 8, 2026
- Effects of Mindfulness Training on Depression and Cognition in Older People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Journal of The American Geriatrics Society October 6, 2025
Cites 9
- Effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to increase resilience to stress: 1-year follow-up of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health September 10, 2020
- The effectiveness of mindfulness training in improving medical students' stress, depression, and anxiety. PLoS One 2023
- Mindfulness Intervention for Improving Psychological Wellbeing Among Students During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2023
- Efficacy and Neural Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation Among Adults With Internet Gaming Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open June 3, 2024
- Mindfulness-based interventions to reduce anxiety among Chinese college students: A systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychology January 6, 2023
and 4 more in the library