Tai Chi Stress Reduction Program for University/College Students

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Recruiting

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

Participants will be included if they:
- Aged 16 years old or above.
- Students, who are undertaking tertiary or higher education, including undergraduate students, honors students, master’s students, doctoral students, regardless of domestic or international students, full-time or part-time students.
- Meet any of the following diagnostic criteria:
a. With elevated levels of stress-related symptoms and DASS-21 stress score greater than or equal to 19; elevated levels of anxiety-related symptoms and DASS-21 anxiety score greater than or equal to 10; or elevated depression-related symptoms, and DASS-21 depression score greater than or equal to 14.
b. With elevated levels of depression diagnosed by a validated clinician-based or self-reported depression symptom questionnaire, such as Hamilton Rating-Scale for Depression, the Beck Depression Inventory, or the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale,
c. With a diagnosis of depressive disorders in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Third Edition (DSM-III or DSM-III-R), Fourth Edition or Fifth Edition (DSM-IV or DSM-V), or the International Classification of Disease 10 (ICD-10),
d. With a diagnosis of anxiety disorders in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition or Fifth Edition (DSM-IV or DSM-V), or
e. have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and/or a depressive disorder by a medical doctor (e.g., general practitioner (GP), psychologist, or psychiatrist).
- Are willing and able to give written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will be excluded if they:
- Are unable to speak and read English,
- refuse or are unwilling to engage in Tai Chi group class or mental health educational workshops,
- are regular Tai Chi practitioner or have practiced Tai Chi within the past 6 months,
- are currently enrolled in any other stress reduction program,
- are pregnant or lactating,
- have any physical limitations that would significantly limit Tai Chi participation.

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Recruitment Rate[Calculated as the number of enquiries, the number of enrolments per month during active recruitment, the number enrolled within the recruitment period, the proportion of enrollees out of the number of inquiries, and the proportion of randomised participants out of those potentially eligible. Calculated monthly during the active recruitment period and at the end of the recruitment phase (3 months).];Retention Rate[The proportion of participants who complete the 8-week intervention and associated outcome measures, divided by the total number enrolled. At the conclusion of the 8-week intervention period.];Adherence Rate[The proportion of participants who complete the workshops and attend at least 6 out of the 8 scheduled in-person Tai Chi classes, divided by the total number of sessions allocated to the intervention group. Weekly attendance recorded throughout the 8-week intervention, with the final calculation at the end of the 8 weeks.]

Secondary Outcome Measures