The effect of Tai Chi exercise on physical and psychological health of college students with persistent fatigue after COVID-19 infection: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to examine the impact of a 16-week Tai Chi program on the physical and mental health of college students (ages 18-20 years) with post-COVID-19 fatigue symptoms.

STUDY

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Seventy students were randomly assigned to either a Tai Chi group (n = 35), participating in a 16-week Tai Chi exercise program (3 × 90 min/week), or a control group (n = 35), maintaining their usual routines. Physical and mental health were assessed before and after using various scales, including the Fatigue Scale 14, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and physical fitness data.

RESULTS

The Tai Chi group showed significant improvements in fatigue, physical functioning (SF-36), balance (one foot with eyes closed), and squat performance compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Sleep quality, habitual sleep efficiency, physical and social functioning, total physical activity, high-intensity activity, flexibility, and core strength (e.g., sit-ups) also improved significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tai Chi effectively reduces fatigue and enhances physical fitness, balance, and sleep in college students with post-COVID-19 fatigue symptoms.