Psychological Effects of 12 Weeks of Moderate-to-Vigorous Exercise on Men With Methamphetamine Use Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Subst Use Addctn J. 2025 Aug 12:29767342251352608. doi: 10.1177/29767342251352608. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the psychological impact of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise (MVE) on male methamphetamine (MA) use disorders (MUD) rehabilitation inpatients.

METHODS: Hundred male MUD rehabilitation inpatients were randomized into 2 groups; the experimental group received the MVE intervention, and the control group received a low-to-moderate-intensity exercise intervention for 1 hour, 5 times a week for 3 months. Psychological assessment was performed using Symptom Checklist 90, and MA craving was assessed using the Virtual Reality Addiction Assessment System developed by Tsing Research Technology (http://www.qingtech.com.cn/AntiDrug/VrDrug). Two-factor repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to compare treatment differences between the 2 groups.

RESULTS: There were better outcomes in the MVE group than in controls, mainly in terms of lower scores for compulsive symptoms (P < .05, η² = .046), depression (P < .01, η² = .061), and MA cravings (P < .05, η² = .054). However, group × time interaction effects had no significant impact on somatization, interpersonal relationships, anxiety, hostility, paranoia, phobia, and psychoticism.

CONCLUSIONS: MVE helps reduce depression, compulsive symptoms, and MA cravings scores in adult men MUD rehabilitation inpatients. However, randomized double-blind trials are needed to validate this result further.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2400080819.

PMID:40792397 | DOI:10.1177/29767342251352608