Table 2. Summary of features of included intervention.

First author year	Region	Study design	Target sample	Age	Sample size (T/C)	Intervention description	Depression measurement	Intervention cycle	Duration	Frequency
López-Rodríguez et al. (2017)	Spain	RCT	University students	22.33 ± 4.12	Intervention: n = 42; Control: n = 53	Biodanza	CES-D	4 weeks	90 min	1 session/week
Papp et al. (2019)	Sweden	RCT pilot	Students	Median age: 25 years	Intervention: n = 21; Control: n = 23	High intensity yoga (HIY)	HADS	6 weeks	60 min	1 session/week
Philippot et al. (2022)	Belgium	RCT	University students	The control group 20.93 ± 1.94; HIIT groups 20.69 ± 1.44	Intervention: n = 11; Control: n = 14	High-Intensity Interval Training	DASS-21	4 weeks	10 min	3 sessions/week
Saltan & Ankaralı (2021)	Turkey	RCT	University students	Pilates18.82 ± 1.071; therapeutic exercise program18.85 ± 2.495; Control group 19.42 ± 1.378	Pilates: n = 29; Therapeutic exercise program: n = 28; Control: n = 35	Pilates exercise; Therapeutic exercise	BDI	12 weeks	40–60 min	3 sessions/week
Zhang et al. (2018)	China	RCT	College students	18.41 ± 2.01	Intervention: n = 32; Control: n = 30	Mindfulness-based Tai Chi Chuan	PHQ-9	8 weeks	90 min	2 sessions/week
Zhang & Jiang (2023)	China	RCT	College students	Average age of 19.2	Intervention: n = 34; Control: n = 39	Baduanjin exercises	SCL90	12 weeks	60 min	3 sessions/week
Zhang et al. (2023)	China	RCT pilot	College students	BWTC group 24.20 ± 4.07; Control group 22.50 ± 5.95	Intervention: n = 9 ; Control: n = 9	Bafa Wubu of Tai Chi	SDS	8 weeks	60 min	5 sessions/week
Zhao et al. (2023)	China	RCT	College students	21.20 ± 2.10	AE group: n = 29; RT group: n = 29; Control group: n = 28	Aerobic exercise; resistance training	SDS	12 weeks	40–60 min	3 sessions/week