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. 2024 Dec 12:15:1502426.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1502426. eCollection 2024.

Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees

Alice Valdesalici  1 , Silvia Cerea  1   2 , Alessandra Pecunioso  1 , Antonio Paoli  2 , Gioia Grigolin  3 , Rosa Nardelli  3 , Alessandra Armenti  3 , Marta Ghisi  1   4
Affiliations

Promoting workplace psychological wellbeing through Yoga and Tai Chi classes in female university employees

Alice Valdesalici et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Academic environments are known for their high demands, often resulting in significant distress among employees. Thus, identifying effective intervention strategies to mitigate workplace stress is essential. The present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of mind-body interventions (i.e., Yoga and Tai Chi) on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental and physical health of female university employees.

Methods: A total of 166 female university employees and faculty members participated in 10 sessions of Tai Chi or Yoga. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing ruminative thoughts, somatic anxiety, general distress, perceived physical and mental health, and assertive and cooperative behaviors before and after the 10 Tai Chi/Yoga sessions. Additionally, participants completed a state anxiety questionnaire before and after Tai Chi/Yoga second and second-to-last lessons.

Results: Results showed significant differences between scores pre and post Tai Chi and Yoga programs, with lower ruminative thoughts (p = 0.007), lower somatic anxiety (p < 0.001), and higher perceived mental health (p = 0.038) at the end of the programs (i.e., after 10 sessions) compared to the beginning. Moreover, significant differences were found in state anxiety scores, with a reduction in state anxiety at the end of the second (p < 0.001) and second-to-last (p < 0.001) lessons compared to the start.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the potential positive impact of Tai Chi and Yoga programs on the psychological wellbeing and perceived mental health of female university employees. Immediate reductions in state anxiety following single sessions further underscore the potential of these practices for short-term stress relief. Overall, the results support the implementation of mind-body practices in workplace settings to promote a healthier work environment.

Keywords: Tai Chi; Yoga; health promotion; interventions; wellbeing; workplace.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of participants through the Tai Chi/Yoga interventions.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study procedure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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