The effects of acute exercise on tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms in temporary abstinent pregnant smokers

Abstract

Introduction-Smoking during pregnancy is common, and quitting at any point during pregnancy can yield benefits to both the fetus and mother. Smoking cessation is typically followed by withdrawal symptoms and a strong desire to smoke, both of which are likely to contribute to relapse. Research has shown that a bout of exercise minimizes cravings and tobacco withdrawal symptoms (TWS) after temporary abstinence in smokers, but these findings have not been replicated in pregnant smokers. This study examined the effect of 20 min of exercise on cravings (primary outcome) and TWS (secondary outcomes) among temporary abstinent, inactive pregnant smokers.Methods-Thirty female smokers (Mean(M) age = 25.7 years, Standard Deviation(SD) = 5.5; M weeks pregnant = 18.2, SD = 5.3; Fagerstrom Test for Cigarette Dependence = 3.3, SD = 2.2; M 9.3 cigarettes/day, SD = 4.7; M hours abstained = 17.2, SD = 2.8) were randomized to 20 min of mild-to-moderate intensity exercise (EC; n = 14) or passive (PC; n = 16) condition. Cravings and TWS were assessed immediately before, during (at 10 min), immediately post, and at 10, 20, and 30 min post-condition.Results-A 2 (condition) × 6 (time) repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the EC significantly (p < 0.05) reduced cravings (ή 2 = 0.46) compared with the PC, across time. Nonsignificant, but nevertheless, large effects were evident favouring the EC over time for TWS ☆ Editorial board for Addictive Behaviors. *Corresponding author at: University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, Thames Hall/3M Centre, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 3K7. Tel.: +1 519 661 2111x80173. hprapave@uwo.ca (H. Prapavessis). Contributors HP, GF, PS, MM, and MU conceived the study. SDJ, AC, TH and LF recruited participants and conducted the study in London, ON. MU recruited participants and collected the study in London, England. HP and SDJ ran the statistical analyses and prepared the first draft of the manuscript, which were jointly interpreted and edited by the authors, respectively. All authors contributed to and approved the final version of the manuscript. Conflict of interestMy coauthors and I do not have any personal or financial conflicts of interest related to the research, nor do the authors have other relationships with other people or organizations within three years of beginning the submitted work that could inappropriately influence, or be perceived to influence, this work. CIHR Author ManuscriptCIHR Author Manuscript CIHR Author Manuscript restlessness (ή 2 = 0.34), stress (ή 2 = 0.24), irritability (ή 2 = 0.21), tension (ή 2 = 0.15), and depression (ή 2 = 0.14).Conclusions-Consistent with previous research, this study reveals that in pregnant smokers, a bout of exercise is associated with a reduction in cravings and similar patterns exist for TWS. Therefore, exercise may have the potential to assist in the initial stages of smoking cessation attempts during pregnancy.

Exercise as a Sex-Specific Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

“…Indeed, results from a recent meta-analysis showed that aerobic and mind-body exercise produced similar effects on withdrawal symptoms, drug-craving, and depression (9). While higher intensity exercise may induce greater effects (20,26), even light intensity exercise, such as walking, can induce beneficial effects (14–16,20,26). Indeed, preliminary findings show that both walking and jogging decrease craving in women and men with concurrent cocaine and tobacco-use disorder although effects did not reach statistical significance in this pilot study (26).…”

Identification of Behavioral Risk Factors During Pregnancy

“…The value of results obtained by us on a sample of 481 subjects is closest to values coming from a neighboring region, following the study conducted by Meghea et al, respectively the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy by a value of 12.88 % [18].…”

“…As a result of data collected has been identified 26 % women consumers of tobacco before pregnancy period but which have renounced as soon as they found that they are pregnant, while about 15 % continued to smoke during pregnancy [18].…”

Smoking cessation during pregnancy and the potential role of exercise: A narrative review

“…However, a low dose of nicotine, as found in NRT options, still has negative health implications including inducing a hypoxic fetal environment and maternal hypertension (46) Exercise interventions have the potential to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without increasing the risk for maternal or fetal adverse events. To date, only one study provides evidence that acute exercise during pregnancy reduces smoking cravings (51). The effectiveness of exerciseaided smoking cessation programs have produced mixed results in the non-smoking population and one study found no support for these type of programs in pregnant smokers wanting to quit (65).…”

“…To date, Prapavessis et al, (51) are the only research group to our knowledge to design a study examining the possibility of relieving cravings in the pregnant population with an acute bout of exercise. Pregnant women are an especially vulnerable group to withdrawal symptoms and cravings because their cravings are expedited by a faster metabolism of nicotine during pregnancy (43).…”