biostudies-literatureSalem BANIDA NIH HHSNational Institute on Drug AbuseUniversity of Vermont College of Medicine109247https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10978100biostudies-literatureUnknown231<h4>Background</h4>In a randomized controlled 8-week trial, we examined the efficacy of aerobic and resistance exercise in reducing craving for methamphetamine (MA) among individuals with MA-use disorder during residential treatment.<h4>Methods</h4>Individuals with MA use disorder (138) who were newly enrolled in residential treatment volunteered for random assignment to either an 8-week exercise intervention (EX) or health education control (HE), with both conditions meeting 3 times weekly; 3 dropped out of the trial, bringing the analysis sample to 135. The majority of participants were male (80%), and 48% were Latino/Hispanic. The mean age of the sample was 31.7 (SD = 6.9) years. Using multivariate mixed models, differences between conditions were examined in: (1) craving for MA, measured by self-reported ratings on a Visual Analog Scale over the 8-week trial and, (2) MA use, measured by self-report and urine drug screens at baseline and 30 and 60 days after discharge from the 8-week study.<h4>Results</h4>Results revealed significantly lower craving scores among the participants in the EX group than those in the HE group over the 8-week trial (median daily craving score for EX = 13.5, for HE = 21.8; p = .009). In addition, participants with less craving during treatment had significantly lower rates of MA use after discharge than participants with high craving measured at 30-days (p = .004) and 60-days post-discharge (p < .001).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Results support the utility of incorporating a structured exercise program for individuals with MA-use disorder to reduce craving and improve MA-use outcomes.Drug and alcohol dependenceCraving among individuals with stimulant use disorder in residential social model-based treatment - Can exercise help?PMC10978100R01 DA027633R01DA027633Chudzynski JSalem BACooper CBDickerson DPenate JRawson RAAng ADolezal BGonzales-Castaneda RMooney LJfalseCraving among individuals with stimulant use disorder in residential social model-based treatment - Can exercise help?<h4>Background</h4>In a randomized controlled 8-week trial, we examined the efficacy of aerobic and resistance exercise in reducing craving for methamphetamine (MA) among individuals with MA-use disorder during residential treatment.<h4>Methods</h4>Individuals with MA use disorder (138) who were newly enrolled in residential treatment volunteered for random assignment to either an 8-week exercise intervention (EX) or health education control (HE), with both conditions meeting 3 times weekly; 3 dropped out of the trial, bringing the analysis sample to 135. The majority of participants were male (80%), and 48% were Latino/Hispanic. The mean age of the sample was 31.7 (SD = 6.9) years. Using multivariate mixed models, differences between conditions were examined in: (1) craving for MA, measured by self-reported ratings on a Visual Analog Scale over the 8-week trial and, (2) MA use, measured by self-report and urine drug screens at baseline and 30 and 60 days after discharge from the 8-week study.<h4>Results</h4>Results revealed significantly lower craving scores among the participants in the EX group than those in the HE group over the 8-week trial (median daily craving score for EX = 13.5, for HE = 21.8; p = .009). In addition, participants with less craving during treatment had significantly lower rates of MA use after discharge than participants with high craving measured at 30-days (p = .004) and 60-days post-discharge (p < .001).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Results support the utility of incorporating a structured exercise program for individuals with MA-use disorder to reduce craving and improve MA-use outcomes.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Feb2025-04-05T14:44:03.045Z2025-04-05T14:44:03.045ZS-EPMC109781003499926810.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109247