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Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

1-14-2026

Abstract

College students have high anxiety due to academic and social stress. Heart rate variability (HRV) reflected sympathetic-parasympathetic balance through the LF / HF ratio and was positively associated with anxiety; the SCL-90 scale (total score 160 or factor 2 is abnormal) was used for mental health assessment. In this study, a double-blind experiment was used to compare the effect of Baduanjin (Chinese guidance) and yoga (physical and mental practice) in India on the anxiety of college students and analyze the physical and mental synergy mechanism with HRV and SCL-90 data, so as to provide evidence-based basis for mental health intervention in universities. Method: A total of 120 college students with high anxiety levels (SCL-90 anxiety factor 2 points) were randomly divided into an eight-stage brocade group, a yoga group, and a blank control group, with 40 students in each group. A double-blind randomized controlled design was used: the Baduanjin group in 12 weeks of standardized training (3 times a week, 60 minutes each time), the yoga group the same frequency, and the control group maintained daily activities. Resting HRV (SDNN, RMSSD, LF / HF) was measured using Firstbeat Bodyguard 2 devices before and after the intervention, and anxiety and depression scores from the SCL-90 scale were collected. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) and Pearson's correlation test (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), with control for confounding variables such as sleep and diet. HRV improved significantly, with 14.2 ± 3.5 ms of SDNN, RMSSD 18.6 ± 4.3 ms (all p < 0.001), LF / HF 0.7 ± 0.3 (p=0.002), and increased parasympathetic activity; SDNN and RMSSD increased only slightly (7.8 ± 2.8 ms and 9.2 ± 3.1 ms, p < 0.05), with no change in LF / HF. The SCL-90 score showed that anxiety decreased by 9.1 ± 1.6 points (p < 0.001) and depression by 7.5 ± 1.4 points (p < 0.001), which was better than the yoga group (4.3 ± 1.1 points, p=0.021). HRV improvement was strongly negatively associated with anxiety relief (r=-0.58, p < 0.001), with no significant change in the control group. This study confirmed for the first time through a double-blind experiment that Baduanjin is better than yoga in regulating autonomic function and relieving anxiety, and the mechanism of body-body synergy may originate from the traditional concept of "interest-mind adjustment".

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.1.184.boisestate

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