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

• Published in: Journal of substance abuse treatment 2015-10, Vol.57, p.36-40
• Main Authors: Rawson, Richard A., Ph.D, Chudzynski, Joy, Psy.D, Gonzales, Rachel, Ph.D., M.P.H, Mooney, Larissa, M.D, Dickerson, Daniel, D.O., M.P.H, Ang, Alfonso, Ph.D, Dolezal, Brett, Ph.D, Cooper, Christopher B., M.D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - complications; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Anxiety; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - rehabilitation; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Depression - etiology; Depression - rehabilitation; Depression and anxiety symptoms; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Health education; Humans; Male; Mental depression; Methamphetamine; Middle Aged; Psychiatry; Residential Treatment; Substance abuse treatment; Treatment; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0740-5472; 1873-6483
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.04.007

Abstract Background This 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. Methods One 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 8 weeks (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. Results Mean 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. Conclusions Results support the role of a structured exercise program as an effective intervention for improving symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with MA abstinence.