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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 29

Sun Tai Chi for heart, lung, and mental well-being in university students

Official title: Effect of Sun Tai Chi on the Cardiopulmonary System and Mental Health in University Students: A Mixed Randomized Clinical Trial

Run by Universidad Católica del Maule · NCT07044154 · Data updated 2026-11-12

We will try a 6-week Sun Tai Chi program (60 minutes, twice weekly) to see if it improves heart-rate variability and reduces stress, anxiety, or depression in university students with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

More Mental Health Conditions trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 29 Years
SexAll
Enrollment56 (estimated)
SponsorUniversidad Católica del Maule
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Talca, Maule Region)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 1, 2025
Main results expectedJuly 31, 2026
Study endsAugust 31, 2026
Registry record updatedApril 29, 2026
Trial IDNCT07044154 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Undergraduate students aged 18–29 who report mild-to-moderate symptoms on the DASS-21 and are physically able to participate in low-to-moderate intensity exercise, and who are not already highly physically active, are the ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Students with no mental health symptoms, those scoring in the severe range on DASS-21, people with contraindicating chronic illnesses, or those already engaging in high levels of physical activity are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional program enrolls undergraduate students aged 18–29 with mild-to-moderate symptoms on the DASS-21 and medically cleared to perform low-to-moderate exercise. Participants will attend 60-minute Sun Tai Chi classes twice weekly for six weeks alongside health lifestyle education. Primary outcomes include changes in heart rate variability (HRV) as a marker of autonomic cardiac function and changes in DASS-21 scores for mental health, plus qualitative feedback on perceived benefits and barriers. The protocol excludes highly active students and those with chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological conditions that contraindicate exercise.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression while offering a low-impact, accessible way for students to boost overall well-being.

How similar studies have gone: Prior Tai Chi studies, including some using Sun style, have reported improvements in HRV and mental health measures, but evidence is limited and heterogeneous, especially in university populations.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Undergraduate university students
* Aged 18 to 29 years
* Both sexes
* Present mental health symptoms assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales - 21 Items (DASS-21) questionnaire, according to cutoff points established by Lovibond et al., ranging from mild to severe in any of the subscales of stress (score 15 to 33), anxiety (score 8 to 19), or depression (score 10 to 27).
* Report a healthy physical condition suitable for Tai Chi practice (self-reported).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Engage in a high level of physical activity according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) or have regularly practiced moderate to high intensity physical activity in the last 3 months.
* Report chronic illnesses that limit or contraindicate the practice of exercises required in Tai Chi.
* Present cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological diseases.
* Exhibit either no mental health impairment or severe impairment according to cutoff scores established by Lovibond et al. in the DASS-21 questionnaire (stress subscale score lower than 15 or greater than 33, anxiety subscale score lower than 8 or greater than 19, depression subscale score lower than 10 or greater than 27).
* Present specific psychiatric diagnoses, such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), self-reported.
* Consume medications for mental health treatment.
* Consume medications or substances that influence cardiac autonomic modulation (e.g., beta-blockers).

Where it's running

  • Universidad Católica del Maule
    Talca, Maule Region, Chile     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Mental Health Conditions 7University Students 3Universidad Católica del Maule 2
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.