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

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, η 2 = .046), depression ( P < .01, η 2 = .061), and MA cravings ( P < .05, η 2 = .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.