title: Changes in mindfulness, well-being, and sleep quality in college students through taijiquan courses: a cohort control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine whether participants in taijiquan classes would report increases in mindfulness greater than that of a comparison group, and whether changes in mindfulness were associated with improvements in mood, perceived stress, self-regulatory self-efficacy, and sleep quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was quasi-experimental with repeated measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was set in a midsized public university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students aged 18-48 years old enrolled in 15-week courses of either taijiquan (n=76) or special recreation (control group, n=132).
  
  
  METHODS
  Chen-style taijiquan classes were offered 2 times per week for 50 minutes each time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-report of mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire), mood (Four Dimensional Mood Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), self-regulatory self-efficacy (Self-regulatory Self-Efficacy Scale), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increases in total mindfulness scores occurred only in the taijiquan group, not in the control group. All well-being variables showed a pattern of improvement in the taijiquan group, with either stability or decline over time in the control group. Increases in mindfulness were significantly correlated with improvements on all well-being measures and with sleep quality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Relative to a recreation control group, taijiquan classes for college students are associated with increased mindfulness and improved sleep quality, mood, and perceived stress, but not self-regulatory self-efficacy. Randomized control design studies are needed to substantiate the causal role of taijiquan exercise in the development of mindfulness and associated improvements in well-being.
authors: Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Appalachian State Universite, Boone, NC 28608, USA. caldwllkl@appstate.edu
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Caldwell
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Emery
authors: Mandy
authors: M
authors: Harrison
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Greeson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D019222:Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012890:Sleep; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult