Acute Aerobic Exercise Ameliorates Cravings and Inhibitory Control in Heroin Addicts: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials and Frequency Bands.

Dongshi Wang,Jiachen Chen,Chenglin Zhou,Ting Zhu,Yu-Kai Chang,Yingzhi Lu

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.561590

Abstract

ObjectiveAerobic exercise is considered a potential adjunctive treatment for heroin addicts, but little is known about its mechanisms. Less severe cravings and greater inhibitory control have been associated with reduced substance use. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects, as measured by behavioral and neuroelectric measurements, of acute aerobic exercise on heroin cravings and inhibitory control induced by heroin-related conditions among heroin addicts.DesignThe present study used a randomized controlled design.MethodsSixty male heroin addicts who met the DSM-V criteria were recruited from the Isolated Detoxification Center in China and randomly assigned to one of two groups; one group completed a 20-min bout of acute stationary cycle exercise with vigorous intensity (70–80% of maximum heart rate, exercise group), and the other group rested (control group). The self-reported heroin craving levels and inhibitory control outcomes (measured by a heroin-related Go/No-Go task) were assessed pre- and post-exercise.ResultsThe heroin craving levels in the exercise group were significantly attenuated during, immediately following, and 40 min after vigorous exercise compared with before exercise; moreover, during exercise, a smaller craving was observed in the exercise group than in the control group. Acute exercise also facilitated inhibition performance in the No-Go task. After exercise, the participants’ accuracy, the N2d amplitudes, and the theta two band spectral power during the No-Go conditions were higher in the exercise group than in the control group. Interestingly, significant correlations between the changes in these sensitive measurements and the changes in cravings were observed.ConclusionsThis is the first empirical study to demonstrate that aerobic exercise may be efficacious for reducing heroin cravings and promoting inhibitory control among heroin addicts.

Highlights

Heroin addiction is becoming more common globally and is a major public health problem
The heroin craving levels in the exercise group were significantly attenuated during, immediately following, and 40 min after vigorous exercise compared with before exercise; during exercise, a smaller craving was observed in the exercise group than in the control group
The participants’ accuracy, the N2d amplitudes, and the theta two band spectral power during the No-Go conditions were higher in the exercise group than in the control group

Summary

Introduction

Heroin addiction is becoming more common globally and is a major public health problem. Previous research suggests that aerobic exercise may be a useful adjunctive treatment for drug addicts (including heroin addicts), the evidence is from exploratory research (Smith and Lynch, 2012; ParejaGaleano et al, 2013). Previous studies suggest that more severe cravings for substances and lower levels of inhibitory control predict substance use; treatments that reduce cravings and promote inhibitory control may be useful (Volkow et al, 2016). A few empirical studies have reported that heroin cravings become less severe after acute aerobic exercise (Bailey et al, 2011). It is important to understand the effects of aerobic exercise on heroin addiction and related psychological mechanisms

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Conclusion