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.
Design:
The study design was quasi-experimental with repeated measures.
Settings/location:
The study was set in a midsized public university.
Subjects:
Students aged 18–48 years old enrolled in 15-week courses of either taijiquan (n=76) or special recreation (control group, n=132).
Intervention:
Chen-style taijiquan classes were offered 2 times per week for 50 minutes each time.
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.
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