The Effect of the Baduanjin Exercise on the Covid-19-Related Anxiety, Psychological Well-being and Lower Back Pain of College Students During the Pandemic

BACKGROUND: Baduanjin exercise is recognized as having a beneficial effect on both physical and mental health. However, studies lacked consideration of its potential advantageous outcomes during the coronavirus pandemic. This study aimed to examine the effect of Baduanjin exercise on the COVID-19-related anxiety, psychological well-being, and the lower back pain of college students during the coronavirus pandemic in China. METHODS: Participants consisted of 387 people, ranging in age from 20 to 30 years (M = 23.55; SD = 3.13), and were randomly divided into two groups: 195 participated in the 12-week Baduanjin exercise program, and 192 learned health knowledge during this time. Subsequently, the two groups were analyzed and compared in terms of an intervention effect on the COVID-19-related anxiety, psychological well-being, and lower back pain. RESULTS: The intervention effect on the Baduanjin exercise group was remarkably better than that of the control group (p < 0.05). With the intervention of the Baduanjin exercise, the COVID-19-related anxiety score decreased from 5.22±0.45 to 5.07±0.27. The total psychological well-being score increased from 70.11±8.65 to 84.12±7.38, and the prevalence of low back pain decreased from 22.45±1.67 to 18.35±1.05 among college students. CONCLUSION: During the pandemic, the Baduanjin exercise contributes to the reduction of the perceived anxiety related to the COVID-19, decreases the prevalence of the lower back pain, and improves the psychological well-being of college students.