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

Abstract

BackgroundThis paper reports data from a study designed to determine the impact of an 8-week exercise program on depression and anxiety symptoms among newly abstinent methamphetamine (MA)-dependent individuals in residential treatment. MethodsOne hundred thirty-five MA-dependent individuals, newly enrolled in residential treatment, were randomly assigned to receive either a 3-times-per-week, 60-minute structured exercise program for 8weeks (24 sessions) or an equivalent number of health education sessions. Using mixed-modeling repeated-measures regression, we examined changes in weekly total depression and anxiety scores as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory over the 8-week study period. ResultsMean age of participants was 31.7 (SD=6.9); 70.4% were male and 48% Latino. Analyses indicate a significant effect of exercise on reducing depression (β=−0.63, P=0.001) and anxiety (β=−0.95, P=0.001) symptoms (total scores) over the 8-week period compared to a health education control group. A significant dose interaction effect between session attendance and exercise was found as well on reducing depression (β=−0.61, P<0.001) and anxiety symptoms (β=−0.22, P=0.009) over time compared to the control group. ConclusionsResults support the role of a structured exercise program as an effective intervention for improving symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with MA abstinence.