title: Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Physical and Psychological Health of College Students: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on physical and psychological health of college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred six college students were recruited and randomly allocated to a control group or a TCC exercise group in an equal ratio. Participants in the control group were instructed to maintain their original activity level and those in the TCC exercise group received 12 weeks of TCC exercise training based on their original activity level. Physical and psychological outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 13 weeks and 25 weeks. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed for the above outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group, the TCC exercise group showed significant improvements at the end of the 12-week intervention period for flexibility (length of Sit and Reach (cm): TCC group 14.09±7.40 versus control 12.88±6.57, P = 0.039 adjusted for its baseline measures using a general linear model) and balance ability (open eyes perimeter: TCC group 235.6(191~314) versus control 261(216~300); closed eyes perimeter: TCC group 370.5 (284~454) versus control 367 (293~483); P = 0.0414, 0.008, respectively, adjusted for corresponding baseline measures using a general linear model). No significant changes in other physical and mental outcomes were found between the two groups. No adverse events were reported during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCC exercise was beneficial in college students for improving flexibility and balance capability to some extent, compared with usual exercise.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-13003328.
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Guohua
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Xiulu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Moyi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Lidian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Junzhe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Bai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China.
authors.forename: Qianying
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000379:methods*