Dao Yin practice for student wellbeing: a classroom-based pilot study

Background and objectives University student mental health is a major public health and educational concern, yet preventive, low-threshold interventions embedded in routine academic settings remain limited. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcome signals of a Dao Yin-based dance/movement course for psychologically vulnerable Chinese undergraduates. Methods This explanatory sequential mixed-methods pilot study was conducted from September 2024 to January 2025 at Taishan University, China. Thirty-eight students with elevated psychological distress completed a 16-session Dao Yin course delivered over 4 months. Quantitative outcomes included the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) total score and perceived physical status, which were analyzed using paired-samples t tests, 95% confidence intervals, and Cohen’s d effect sizes. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups and written narratives and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Pre-post analyses showed a significant reduction in SCL-90 total score and a significant improvement in perceived physical status. Effect sizes across symptom dimensions ranged from small to large. Qualitative themes highlighted bodily loosening, emotional settling, enhanced body–mind awareness, and the development of everyday self-regulation practices. Conclusion A Dao Yin-based course delivered within the regular university curriculum appears feasible and acceptable for psychologically vulnerable students and showed preliminary positive signals for psychological and physical well-being. However, controlled studies are needed to establish efficacy. These findings provide initial support for integrating culturally grounded, body-oriented practices into campus mental health promotion.