Objectives: Mental health problems among university students are a cause of widespread concern. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) delivered online have considerable potential to help university students manage mental health challenges. However, there is no consensus regarding the efficacy of online MBIs. This meta-analysis aims to determine whether MBIs are feasible and effective for improving university students’ mental health.Methods: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and the US National Library of Medicine (Clinical Trial Registry) published through August 31, 2022, were searched. Two reviewers selected the trials, conducted a critical appraisal, and extracted the data. Nine RCTs met our inclusion criteria.Results: This analysis showed that online MBIs were effective in improving depression (standardised mean difference [SMD] = −0.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.48 to −0.07; P = 0.008), anxiety (SMD = −0.47; 95% CI, −080 to −0.14; P = 0.006), stress (SMD = −0.58; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.37; P < 0.00001), and mindfulness (SMD = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.17 to 1.25; p = 0.009) in university students. No significant effect was found on wellbeing (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI, −0.00 to 0.60; P = 0.05).Conclusion: The findings indicated that online MBIs could effectively improve the mental health of university students. Nevertheless, additional rigorously designed RCTs are required.Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-9-0099/, identifier INPLASY202290099.

Background: Cognitive impairment in older adults poses a growing burden on global healthcare systems, especially in resource-limited communities. Baduanjin exercise, a low-cost traditional Chinese mind–body exercise, demonstrates considerable potential for assisting older adults in managing cognitive impairment. However, there is no consensus regarding its efficacy. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of Baduanjin exercise in ameliorating cognitive impairment in older adults.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through January 30, 2025, were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Chinese databases (CSTJ, CNKI, Wanfang). Two reviewers independently conducted trial selection, assessed methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and extracted data in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Seven RCTs involving 539 community-dwelling older adults met the inclusion criteria.Results: Baduanjin exercise significantly improved global cognitive function [mean difference (MD) = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.53 to 2.76; p &lt; 0.00001], memory (standardized mean difference = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.80; p &lt; 0.00001), executive function (SMD = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.44; p = 0.007), and physical health (MD = −0.86; 95% CI, −0.26 to −0.46; p &lt; 0.00001). No included study reported adverse effects related to Baduanjin exercise.Conclusion: These findings indicate that Baduanjin exercise can effectively improve cognitive impairment in older adults. Nevertheless, further rigorously designed RCTs are required to confirm these findings.Systematic review registration: International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (INPLASY) under the registration number INPLASY202460007, https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2024-6-0007/.

To investigate birth cohort changes in anxiety levels among primary school students in China, we conducted a cross-temporal meta-analysis of 126 studies (N = 109,957) reporting the anxiety levels among primary school students in China during 1995-2019 using the Mental Health Diagnostic Test (MHT); higher MHT scores indicated higher anxiety. The results showed that: (1) The MHT scores for five types of mental health problems (social anxiety, lonely tendency, physical symptoms, terror tendency, and impulsive tendency) and the total MHT score were significantly negatively correlated with the data-collection year, indicating that the anxiety levels among primary school students in China decreased over time. (2) The MHT score for learning anxiety was significantly positively correlated with the data-collection year, indicating that the learning anxiety levels of primary school students in China increased over time. (3) The overall MHT score did not show significant gender differences, but gender-wise varying trends were observed in the types considered.