Integrating mindfulness and physical activity: a meta-analysis of mindful movement interventions for symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students.
PeerJ January 1, 2025 Xinjian Xu, Borhannudin Bin Abdullah, Shamsulariffin Bin Samsudin et al. 3 citations
Mindful movement interventions—structured programs that combine mindfulness with physical activity such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong—significantly reduce anxiety and depression in university students. A meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials with 1,697 participants found that these interventions lowered anxiety (standardized mean difference = -0.42) and depression (standardized mean difference = -0.61) compared to control groups. The effects did not differ significantly across yoga, tai chi, or qigong, supporting treating mindful movement as a unified approach. Some heterogeneity remained, indicating a need for further research on specific intervention elements and participant factors.