A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effect of Tai Chi on the Drug Craving in Women

Abstract

This study was conducted in the purpose of investigating the effect of Tai Chi on drug craving for women with drug disorders. One hundred and twelve women were recruited from a drug rehabilitation center in China, and 47 and 48 were finally analyzed in the control group and exercise group, respectively. The exercise group underwent a 3-month Tai Chi training, whereas the control group experienced no exercise intervention during the same time period. The drug craving was measured by the visual analog scale. In data analysis, repeated-measures were utilized to test the differences between the control and exercise group over the course of the experiment time. The mean of the craving score significantly dropped from pre-test (control: mean = 5.38, SD = 3.04; exercise: mean = 4.68, SD = 2.93) to post-test (control: mean = 4.03, SD = 2.73; exercise: mean = 1.91, SD = 1.90) in both groups (control group: t = 3.84, df = 46, p < 0.001; exercise group: t = 5.941, df = 47, p < 0.001), with more decrease witnessed in the exercise group. Repeated-measures analysis with a Huynh–Feldt correction showed the significant effect of time ( F = 27.383, p < 0.001) as well as the study group by time interaction ( F = 3.52, p = 0.024). Tai Chi can ameliorate the drug craving in women and it could be a supportive treatment for drug addiction.

Exercise intervention to reduce mobile phone addiction in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Typically, 30–60 min of physical activity positively affects the recovery of many addicted patients ( Xu et al, 2022 ). For example, 30 min of Tai Chi exercise was revealed to increase dopamine concentrations and dopamine receptors, which had a positive effect on reducing drug addiction ( Wang et al, 2022 ); 30 min of moderate-intensity exercise was effective in reducing mobile phone cravings among college students with mobile phone addiction ( Yang et al, 2022 ), providing support for our findings. As adolescents are at a stage of rapid physical development, a short exercise session may lack sufficient stimulation, resulting in a lack of enjoyment and a decrease in motivation to participate in exercise; longer exercise sessions, influenced by group exercise, promote interpersonal communication and allow individuals to integrate well into the group.…”

Effects of exercise interventions on negative emotions, cognitive performance and drug craving in methamphetamine addiction

“…These studies confirmed that exercise interventions can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms (16,(22)(23)(24), enhance inhibitory control (25,(28)(29)(30)33) and executive capacity (26,27), and reduce the level of craving for methamphetamine (25,30,(34)(35)(36)(37) in people with MUD. Although further research on the efficacy of exercise interventions is required, based on the available evidence, we assume that exercise interventions have some advantages in the treatment of MUD.…”

“…In a follow-up study, the investigators compared the dose-response relationship between different exercise intensities (low, moderate, and high intensity) and methamphetamine cravings. Furthermore, randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that tai chi can help reduce withdrawal symptoms by increasing individual selfawareness and introverted attention, and also have a good therapeutic effect on drug cravings in methamphetaminedependent patients (36). In terms of intensity, results showed that methamphetamine craving scores decreased more in the moderateand high-intensity exercise groups than in the low-intensity exercise and control groups during acute exercise, immediately after exercise, and at 50 minutes after exercise (25).…”

Brain Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Exercise Improves Methamphetamine-Induced Impairments in Mouse Learning and Memory Abilities

“…In recent years, mounting research has underscored the potential of physical exercise as a viable intervention for drug addiction, with a particular focus on METH addiction [11,19]. Studies have shown that exercise can ameliorate the symptoms of depression and anxiety, mitigate addictive behaviors, enhance sleep quality, bolster learning and memory capacities, and alleviate cognitive impairments frequently observed in METH users [20,21]. Previous investigations have also demonstrated that exercise can mitigate metabolic disturbances precipitated by METH dependence [22].…”