Digital Tai Chi Intervention on Physical Fitness, Anxiety, Depression and Stress Among College Students

NCT07854821 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HPULLSC2025-043
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 56
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Research indicates a substantial increase in the rates of anxiety, depression and stress among college students (Roy, Biswas, \& Sharma, 2025). These symptoms significantly are related to poor physical health, low quality of life, poor academic performance, poor relationships, and future opportunities (Man, Li, Lin, Yu-Chi, \& Chan, 2025; Roy et al., 2025). Meanwhile, physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyles often result in declined physical fitness (S. Cai et al., 2025; R. X. Li et al., 2025). Chinese college students face increasingly serious physical and mental health problems. Therefore, this population is highly relevant and meaningful for health intervention research. Tai Chi has a unique effect in promoting physical and mental health. Studies have shown that Tai Chi exercise can promote heart and lung function, improve body composition, enhance muscle strength and endurance, increase flexibility and balance ability (Easwaran et al., 2021; Guo et al., 2016), reduce stress levels, and alleviate psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression, benefiting physical, emotional and social functions (Q. Cai et al., 2022). However, most existing studies focus on the effects of Tai Chi on the physical and mental health of middle-aged, elderly, and chronically ill populations (Chen, Hunt, Campbell, Peill, \& Reid, 2016; Qi et al., 2023; Zeng et al., 2023). Empirical evidence for its intervention effects among college students is limited (Qi, Soh, Nasirudddin, \& Mai, 2022), especially from randomized controlled trials, and evidence on the brain mechanisms of such effects is gap (Jin, Chen, \& Zhang, 2026). And, Tai Chi is a complex form of exercise, and it is difficult for beginners to master it completely and to stick to it ( Wang, J., \& Zhang, Y. C. , 2023). Its health benefits are also hard to be manifested and maintained. Moreover, the slow and gentle movement patterns of Tai Chi make it difficult to attract college students to fully engage in the practice, leading students to gradually form a boring learning state and a learning method of mechanical memory in the learning process (Zhang, C. N.,\& Zhang, C. S, 2021; Zhang, Z.,2021), which affects the effectiveness of the Tai Chi intervention. Digital Tai Chi intervention has broad application potential. Related research indicates that VR technology application provides a flexible and novel way to promote traditional Tai Chi Health Intervention (Hong Liu, 2025). VR is a computer generated, lifelike virtual world that produces the sensation of immersion in the environment(Wong, Lai, \& Qin, 2023). Due to its ability to tightly control the virtual setting, VR interventions can be implemented precisely. Consistency of VR interventions is ensured because the virtual environment can be replicated exactly across multiple sessions, eliminating variations that might occur in real-world settings(Man et al., 2025). Therefore, applying VR technology to assist Tai Chi health interventions can create an immersive, virtual-real integrated learning experience, stimulate college students' learning motivation, enhance their mastery of Tai Chi movement details, reduce the tediousness of practice, and ultimately improve intervention adherence and effectiveness. Although VR Tai Chi intervention has broad application potential, current empirical studies on its intervention effects are still relatively limited, especially in terms of insufficient evidence for simultaneously improving physical fitness and mental health among college students. Therefore, research on VR based Tai Chi interventions for college students' physical and mental health remains limited at present. By integrating traditional Chinese Tai Chi practice with modern VR technology, this study expands the research scope in the intersection of modern information technology and sports science, and fills the gap in the research on the impact of VR Tai Chi intervention on the physical fitness and mental health of college students. The VR-TCI intervention model, provide a low-cost, highly accessible and culturally compatible intervention path for improving the physical fitness of college students and alleviating psychological problems. VR Tai Chi intervention, conforms to the national "modernization of traditional medicine" and "digital health development" strategies, and explores a digital solution for the physical and mental health of college students with Chinese cultural characteristics.

Conditions

Health College Students

Keywords

Tai Chi; Virtual Reality; Physical Fitness; Anxiety; Depression; Stress

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (11)

• 1,000-meter run completion time in male participants 800-meter run completion time in female participants Number of sit-ups completed in one minute in female participants Standing long jump distance Sit-and-reach distance

  Cardiorespiratory endurance in male participants is assessed using a 1,000-meter run timed with a stopwatch. The outcome is the time required to complete the run, recorded in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better performance. Cardiorespiratory endurance in female participants is assessed using an 800-meter run timed with a stopwatch. The outcome is the time required to complete the run, recorded in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better performance. Muscular endurance in female participants is assessed using a one-minute sit-up test. The outcome is the number of correctly completed sit-ups within one minute. A higher number indicates better muscular endurance. Lower-limb explosive strength is assessed using the standing long jump test. Jump distance is measured using a measuring ruler and recorded in centimeters. A greater distance indicates better performance. Flexibility is assessed using a sit-and-reach instrument. The outcome is the reach distance, recor

  Baseline (before intervention) and Week 12 (end of intervention).

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) Total Score at Week 12

  Anxiety symptoms will be assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. The questionnaire includes seven items assessing symptoms over the preceding two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 21 points. Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms. This outcome is the total score at Week 12, following completion of the 12-week intervention.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Total Score at Week 12

  Depressive symptoms will be assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The questionnaire consists of nine items assessing symptoms over the preceding two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 27 points. Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms. This outcome is the total score at Week 12, following completion of the 12-week intervention.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) Total Score at Week 12

  Perceived stress will be assessed using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), which assesses thoughts and feelings during the preceding month. Each item is scored from 0 to 4. Items 4, 5, 7, and 8 are reverse-scored before summing all items. The total score ranges from 0 to 40 points, with higher scores indicating greater perceived stress. This outcome is the total score at Week 12, following completion of the 12-week intervention.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Male 1,000-Meter Run Title: 1,000-Meter Run Completion Time in Male Participants at Week 12

  Description: Cardiorespiratory endurance in male participants will be assessed using a 1,000-meter run. The time required to complete the distance will be measured using a stopwatch and reported in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better running performance.

  Time Frame: Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Female 800-Meter Run Title: 800-Meter Run Completion Time in Female Participants at Week 12

  Cardiorespiratory endurance in female participants will be assessed using an 800-meter run. The time required to complete the distance will be measured using a stopwatch and reported in seconds. A shorter completion time indicates better running performance.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Male Push-Up Test Title: Number of Push-Ups Completed in One Minute by Male Participants at Week 12

  Upper-body muscular endurance in male participants will be assessed using a 60-second push-up test. Participants will maintain a straight body position, lower the body until the elbows reach approximately 90 degrees of flexion or greater, and return to the starting position with the elbows extended. Only correctly completed repetitions will be counted. The timer will continue during brief pauses. The test will stop if the participant requests to stop or cannot safely continue; the completed repetitions and reason for early termination will be recorded. The outcome will be the number of valid repetitions completed, with a higher number indicating better performance.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Female One-Minute Sit-Up Test Title: Number of Sit-Ups Completed in One Minute by Female Participants at Week 12

  Description: Abdominal muscular endurance in female participants will be assessed using a one-minute sit-up test. The number of correctly completed sit-ups within 60 seconds will be recorded. A valid repetition will be defined according to \[specify the testing standard, including the starting position, required movement, and completion criteria\]. The outcome will be reported as the number of valid repetitions. A higher number indicates better performance.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Title: Standing Long Jump Distance at Week 12

  Lower-limb explosive performance will be assessed using a standing long jump test. Participants will jump forward from a stationary position using a two-foot take-off. Jump distance will be measured from the take-off line to the nearest landing contact point using a metric ruler and reported in centimeters. Participants will complete \[number\] valid trials, and the \[best or mean\] distance will be used as the outcome. A longer distance indicates better performance.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention

• Body Fat Percentage at Week 12

  Body fat percentage will be assessed using the InBody 230 body composition analyzer according to the manufacturer's measurement procedures. Body fat percentage is the estimated fat mass divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100, and will be reported as a percentage (%).

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

• Sit-and-Reach Test Title: Sit-and-Reach Distance at Week 12

  Flexibility will be assessed using a sit-and-reach instrument. Participants will sit with their knees extended and reach forward with both hands. Reach distance will be recorded in centimeters relative to \[specify the instrument's zero reference point\]. Participants will complete \[number\] valid trials, and the \[best or mean\] distance will be used as the outcome. A higher recorded value indicates greater forward reach.

  Week 12 (end of the 12-week intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Virtual Reality-Assisted Tai Chi Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Device: Virtual Reality-Assisted Tai Chi Training

Conventional Tai Chi Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive conventional training in Chen-style Tai Chi Essential 18 Forms through face-to-face instruction by physical education teachers for 12 weeks, with two 100-minute sessions per week. Training includes teacher-guided warm-up, standing stance exercises and Tai Chi practice, independent practice, and cool-down.

Device: Virtual Reality-Assisted Tai Chi Training

Interventions

Virtual Reality-Assisted Tai Chi Training DEVICE

Participants receive a 12-week virtual reality-assisted program of Chen-style Tai Chi Essential 18 Forms, with two 100-minute sessions per week. Each session includes 5 minutes of preparation and VR device calibration, 10 minutes of VR-guided warm-up, 10 minutes of VR-guided standing stance training, 35 minutes of immersive VR interactive Tai Chi practice, 30 minutes of Tai Chi practice supported by VR playback, and 10 minutes of cool-down. Training progresses from individual forms to the complete 18-form sequence.

Conventional Tai Chi Group; Virtual Reality-Assisted Tai Chi Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 22 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female students.
• Willing to participate voluntarily and provide written informed consent. -

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xin Liu: lead

Study Sites (1)

Henan Polytechnic University

Jiaozuo, Henan, 454000, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student

Model Details: The experimental group (VR-TCI) received a 12-week training program, twice a week, each session lasting 100 minutes (with a 10-minute break in between).The control group (CTCI) received a 12-week training program, twice a week, each session lasting 100 minutes (with a 10-minute break in between).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2026
• First Posted: October 2, 2026
• Study Start: September 14, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2027
• Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Locations

CN (1)