The Impact of Exercise On Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Abstinent Methamphetamine-Dependent Individuals in A Residential Treatment Setting.
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.
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: rrawson@mednet.ucla.edu.
Richard A
RA
Rawson
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Joy
J
Chudzynski
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Rachel
R
Gonzales
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Larissa
L
Mooney
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Daniel
D
Dickerson
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Alfonso
A
Ang
Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte 37-131 CHS, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Brett
B
Dolezal
Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte 37-131 CHS, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Christopher B
CB
Cooper
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D012114:Residential Treatment; D055815:Young Adult
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine
Depression and anxiety symptoms; Exercise; Methamphetamine; Treatment