Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,203 studies31 sourcesUpdated 27 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Psychiatry

Effect of soft Chinese martial arts on depressive symptoms among college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Longlong Shi1
  • Qianjing Wang2
  • Wenyi Li3
  • Wei Xie4
4 affiliations
  1. 1School of Dance and Martial Arts, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
  2. 2Sports Institute, North Minzu University
  3. 3Department of Sports, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
  4. 4School of Physical Education, Guangdong University of Technology
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Objectives: Mental health problems are a growing concern among college students worldwide. While exercise is a proven mental health intervention, a quantitative synthesis on the effects of soft Chinese martial arts, as a unique mind-body practice, on depression in this specific population is lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap by systematically evaluating the effectiveness of soft Chinese martial arts interventions in alleviating depressive symptoms among college students.

Methods: Literature with publication dates up to July 31, 2025 was searched in seven databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and CNKI. Studies were systematically screened according to the PRISMA guidelines, and the quality of the included literature was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The size of the effect was expressed by means of SMD and 95% confidence interval, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity.

Results: A total of 11 RCTs (11 independent datasets) involving 750 participants were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant overall effect of soft Chinese martial arts on reducing depressive symptoms in college students (SMD = –0.71, 95% CI: –1.23 to –0.18, p = 0.008). Subgroup analyses suggested potential moderating effects of intervention duration, frequency, and session length. For example, the effect size for the 9-14 week subgroup was SMD = –1.35 (95% CI: –2.10 to –0.60) and for the 20-60 minute single session duration subgroup was SMD = –0.69 (95% CI: –1.36 to –0.03). Heterogeneity was high ( I2 = 82.6%, p < 0.001). Egger’s test was not statistically significant ( p = 0.397), but publication bias cannot be ruled out due to the small number of studies.

Conclusion: Soft Chinese martial arts, particularly Tai Chi and Baduanjin, may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in college students, providing preliminary evidence for mental health programs. However, results should be interpreted with caution because of high heterogeneity, risk of bias, and possible publication bias. The certainty of evidence is very low according to the GRADE framework.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=1129413 , identifier CRD420251129413.

Related

  1. The nonlinear relationship between symptoms of internet addiction and depressive symptoms: an empirical study among Chinese university students
    Shuzhi Peng, Ayijiamal Sali, Hu Qingpo +1
    Frontiers in PsychiatryPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Psychiatry & mental healthCrossref
  2. Emotional regulation ability and depressive symptoms among Chinese junior high school students: a cross-sectional analysis of the role of stress coping styles
    Jingjing Wang, Liuhao Yang, Ruru Guo +2
    Frontiers in PsychiatryPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textPsychiatry & mental healthCrossrefEurope PMCPMC
  3. Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Fitness Methods on Depressive Symptoms and Glycaemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Comorbid Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Taijiquan and Baduanjin.
    Xinyue Tian, Yiwen Wei, Jingwen Bo +3
    Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolismPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textPhysiologyEurope PMCPMC
  4. Effects of Mental Health Interventions on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in University Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Josefa Salazar-Diaz, Edgar Vásquez-Carrasco, Jordan Hernandez-Martinez +6
    Journal of clinical medicinePeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMCCrossref
  5. Association between discretionary screen time and depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents: a cross-sectional study
    Zhi Xu, Shuye Yang, Shibin Wang +1
    Frontiers in pediatricsPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{shi2026effect,
  title = {{Effect of soft Chinese martial arts on depressive symptoms among college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis}},
  author = {Longlong Shi and Qianjing Wang and Wenyi Li and Wei Xie},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1850402},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1850402/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Effect of soft Chinese martial arts on depressive symptoms among college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AU  - Longlong Shi
AU  - Qianjing Wang
AU  - Wenyi Li
AU  - Wei Xie
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/20
JO  - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO  - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1850402
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1850402/full
AB  - Objectives: Mental health problems are a growing concern among college students worldwide. While exercise is a proven mental health intervention, a quantitative synthesis on the effects of soft Chinese martial arts, as a unique mind-body practice, on depression in this specific population is lacking. This study aimed to fill this gap by systematically evaluating the effectiveness of soft Chinese martial arts interventions in alleviating depressive symptoms among college students.  Methods: Literature with publication dates up to July 31, 2025 was searched in seven databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and CNKI. Studies were systematically screened according to the PRISMA guidelines, and the quality of the included literature was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The size of the effect was expressed by means of SMD and 95% confidence interval, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity.  Results: A total of 11 RCTs (11 independent datasets) involving 750 participants were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant overall effect of soft Chinese martial arts on reducing depressive symptoms in college students (SMD = –0.71, 95% CI: –1.23 to –0.18, p = 0.008). Subgroup analyses suggested potential moderating effects of intervention duration, frequency, and session length. For example, the effect size for the 9-14 week subgroup was SMD = –1.35 (95% CI: –2.10 to –0.60) and for the 20-60 minute single session duration subgroup was SMD = –0.69 (95% CI: –1.36 to –0.03). Heterogeneity was high ( I2 = 82.6%, p < 0.001). Egger’s test was not statistically significant ( p = 0.397), but publication bias cannot be ruled out due to the small number of studies.  Conclusion: Soft Chinese martial arts, particularly Tai Chi and Baduanjin, may be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing depressive symptoms in college students, providing preliminary evidence for mental health programs. However, results should be interpreted with caution because of high heterogeneity, risk of bias, and possible publication bias. The certainty of evidence is very low according to the GRADE framework.  Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=1129413 , identifier CRD420251129413.
SN  - 1664-0640
ER  -