Effects of 12-week aerobic exercise on cue-induced drug craving in methamphetamine-dependent patients and the moderation effect of working memory

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of 12-week aerobic exercise of varying intensity on cue-induced drug craving in methamphetamine (MA)-dependent patients and how this effect may be moderated or mediated by changes in cognitive function. MethodFifty-seven MA-dependent patients were randomly divided into three groups. Two exercise groups were engaged in a 12-week exercise program that involved three 30-min sessions per week of moderate- or high-intensity aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer. The control group maintained daily life in a drug rehabilitation center for 12 weeks. Inhibitory control, working memory, and cue-induced drug craving were assessed before and after the intervention via Stroop task, 2-back task and visual analogue scale, respectively. ResultsA 12-week program of high-, but not medium-, intensity aerobic exercise significantly reduced cue-induced drug craving and improved working memory performance, while did not improve inhibitory control. Multiple linear regressions revealed that the effects of aerobic exercise on cue-induced drug craving were moderated by working memory. ConclusionsHigh-intensity aerobic exercise could be used to reduce cue-induced drug cravings of MA-dependent patients while also providing benefits in working memory. For patients with improved working memory, 12-week aerobic exercise can significantly reduce cue-induced drug craving, and the higher the exercise intensity, the greater the decrease in craving. These results suggest that appropriate high-intensity exercise would be a positive tool to promote drug rehabilitation for patients without any physical or medical conditions, and the improvement of working memory is important for exercise-induced effects.