Influence of aerobic training on recovery of heroin addicts

Objective The purpose of the study was to observe the recuperative effect of aerobic training on heroin addicts.Methods 110 heroin addicts were divided into aerobic training group (60 cases)and control group (50 cases): The former patients performed aerobic training for 6 months after 24h of methadone withdrawal,the latter received slight exercise which was equal to Borg index(9-10). The delaying withdrawal symptoms of two groups were respectively evaluated by Zung SDS and Zung SAS at pre-and post-deloxification as well as within 6 months during exercise.The patients'abstinent rate was observed and followed up for 12 months.Results The peak of delaying withdrawal-symptoms of two groups occurred after 1-2 weeks of methadone withdrawal,there wasn't difference in both groups(P0.05).Through 12-24 weeks of aerobic training,the delaying withdrawal-symptoms in aerobic training group were markedly better than those of control group(P0.01).After detoxification,the anxiety and depression of patients were obviously alleviated compared with the pre-detoxification (P0.01).But there wasn't difference in both groups.After 16-20 weeks of exercise,the anxiety and depression in aerobic training patients were significantly improved compared with the control group(P0.01).Conclusion It is indicated that regulate and persistent aerobic training can help the heroin addicts give up heroin and promote the patients' recovery at last.