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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Public Health
Sec. Public Mental Health
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1420035

Effects of different Chinese traditional exercises on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and metaanalysis

Provisionally accepted
Min Liu Min Liu *世晴 张 世晴 张 Lijin Zhao Lijin Zhao *
  • Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Introduction：As the COVID-19 outbreak escalated into a global pandemic, there was a significant surge in mental health issues worldwide. Over the past three decades, traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) has gained increasing recognition for its ability to regulate mental well-being. The aim of this study (PROSPERO CRD42024516002) was to comprehensively assess and carry out a meta-analysis on the impact of traditional Chinese exercise on personal mental well-being amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods ： Literature with publication dates from 2020 to 2023 was searched in four databases, including CNKI, Wanfang, Pubmed and Web of science. The literature was selected layer by layer according to the PRIMA guidelines, and then the quality of the included literature was assessed using the Cochrane Risk assessment tool.Results：A total of 174 articles were screened, and 10 studies met the criteria and were included in the study. The results showed that TCEs had a positive effect on anxiety symptoms [SMD=-1.68, I 2 =98.40%, 95%CI=(-2.80, -0.56), p=0.00] and depressive symptoms [SMD=-1.23, I 2 =89.23%, 95%CI=(-1.87, -0.58), p=0.00]. The data of subgroup analysis showed that Baduanjin exercise had the best effect on reducing anxiety [SMD=-2.29, I 2 =98.3%, 95%CI=(-3.69, -0.89), p<0.000]. Individuals who practiced TCEs less than or equal to 30 minutes each time had the best effect on anxiety SMD=-2.06, I 2 =96.2%, p<0.000] and depression [SMD=-1.90, I 2 =68.4%, 95%CI=(-2.25, -1.55), p=0.042]. Individuals who trained TCEs more than 7 times a week were most likely to reduce symptoms of anxiety [SMD=-4.30, I 2 =92.6%, 95%CI=(-6.78, -1.81), p<0.000] and depression [SMD=-2.39, I 2 =0.0%, 95%CI=(-2.91, -1.87), p=0.625]. It is worth noting that TCEs had the most significant effect on the improvement of depression in people aged 30-50 years [SMD=-1.58, I 2 =89.0%, 95%CI=(-3.05, -0.10), p=0.003].During the global pandemic, traditional Chinese sports have shown a positive and significant impact on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and have played a significant role in improving mental health problems.

    Keywords: Chinese traditional exercises1, Mental health2, COVID-193, Anxiety4, Depression5

    Received: 23 Apr 2024; Accepted: 22 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Liu, 张 and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Min Liu, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
    Lijin Zhao, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.