The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine exercise therapy for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders in university students: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Mental health disorders are highly prevalent among university students. Mental health is important in the healthy growth and overall development of university students. Many studies have indicated that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exercise therapies can alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms in university students. However, their definite efficacy and the optimal choice of TCM exercise therapy remain controversial. In this study, we aim to assess and compare the effects of different TCM exercise therapies on anxiety and depression symptoms in university students by network meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining TCM exercise therapies for the anxiety and depression in university students published before January 2022 will be searched in online databases, including the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, China Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang Database. Two researchers will be independently responsible for literature screening, data extraction, and assessment of their quality. Standard pairwise and network meta-analysis will be performed to compare the efficacy of different TCM exercise therapies on anxiety and depression symptoms in university students using Stata14.0 and GeMTC0.14.3. RESULTS: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis will provide the evidence for supporting the intervention strategies of TCM exercise therapy for improving negative emotions such as anxiety and depression among university students. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/VTGBE.