Exercise for methamphetamine dependence: Rationale, design, and methodology

Abstract

Background Effective pharmacotherapies to treat methamphetamine (MA) dependence have not been identified, and behavioral therapies are marginally effective. Based on behavioral studies demonstrating the potential efficacy of aerobic exercise for improving depressive symptoms, anxiety, cognitive deficits, and substance use outcomes, the study described here is examining exercise as a potential treatment for MA-dependent individuals. Methods This study is randomizing 150 participants with MA dependence at a residential treatment facility for addictive disorders to receive either a thrice-weekly structured aerobic and resistance exercise intervention or a health education condition. Recruitment commenced in March, 2010. Enrollment and follow-up phases are ongoing, and recruitment is exceeding targeted enrollment rates. Conclusions Seeking evidence for a possibly effective adjunct to traditional behavioral approaches for treatment of MA dependence, this study is assessing the ability of an 8-week aerobic and resistance exercise protocol to reduce relapse to MA use during a 12-week follow-up period after discharge from residential-based treatment. The study also is evaluating improvements in health and functional outcomes during and after the protocol. This paper describes the design and methods of the study.

Exercise during early, but not late abstinence, attenuates subsequent relapse vulnerability in a rat model

“…This point may be critical because several exercise trials are being conducted for addiction treatment in humans, but most introduce exercise well after the initiation of abstinence. 42 Our findings showing that exercise beginning during early abstinence effectively reduces cocaine seeking are consistent with our previous work and recent work by others. For example, several studies have demonstrated an acute beneficial effect of exercise at reducing cocaine seeking when exercise immediately precedes or is concurrent with reinstatement testing.…”

The Impact of Exercise On Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Abstinent Methamphetamine-Dependent Individuals in A Residential Treatment Setting

“…Inclusion criteria were MA dependence, English proficiency, age 18 to either 45 years for men or 55 years for women (per American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM, 2000] guidelines for supervision of exercise by non-physicians), and the ability to attend exercise or health education sessions. Individuals were excluded if they exhibited medical impairment that compromised their safety as a participant, met criteria for opiate dependence, or had a psychiatric impairment that warranted hospitalization or primary treatment (see Mooney et al, 2014, for further details on the study design).…”

Impact of an exercise intervention on methamphetamine use outcomes post-residential treatment care

“…For a detailed description of study procedures, see Mooney et al, 2013. Inclusion criteria were MA dependence per DSM-IV, age 18–45 years for men and age 18–55 years for women (per American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM, 2000] guidelines for supervision of exercise with non-physicians), vital sign stability, and ability to comply with study procedures.…”