Exercise for methamphetamine dependence: rationale, design, and methodology

Larissa J Mooney; Christopher Cooper; Edythe D London; Joy Chudzynski; Brett Dolezal; Daniel Dickerson; Mary-Lynn Brecht; Jose Peñate; Richard A Rawson

doi:10.1016/j.cct.2013.11.010

Exercise for methamphetamine dependence: rationale, design, and methodology

Contemp Clin Trials. 2014 Jan;37(1):139-47. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2013.11.010. Epub 2013 Nov 28.

Authors

Larissa J Mooney¹, Christopher Cooper², Edythe D London³, Joy Chudzynski⁴, Brett Dolezal⁵, Daniel Dickerson⁶, Mary-Lynn Brecht⁷, Jose Peñate⁸, Richard A Rawson⁹

Affiliations

¹ Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte 37-131 CHS, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room C8-831, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte 37-131 CHS, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁷ Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁸ Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁹ Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 11075 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

Background: Effective pharmacotherapies to treat methamphetamine (MA) dependence have not been identified, and behavioral therapies are marginally effective. Based on behavioral studies demonstrating the potential efficacy of aerobic exercise for improving depressive symptoms, anxiety, cognitive deficits, and substance use outcomes, the study described here is examining exercise as a potential treatment for MA-dependent individuals.

Methods: This study is randomizing 150 participants with MA dependence at a residential treatment facility for addictive disorders to receive either a thrice-weekly structured aerobic and resistance exercise intervention or a health education condition. Recruitment commenced in March, 2010. Enrollment and follow-up phases are ongoing, and recruitment is exceeding targeted enrollment rates.

Conclusions: Seeking evidence for a possibly effective adjunct to traditional behavioral approaches for treatment of MA dependence, this study is assessing the ability of an 8-week aerobic and resistance exercise protocol to reduce relapse to MA use during a 12-week follow-up period after discharge from residential-based treatment. The study also is evaluating improvements in health and functional outcomes during and after the protocol. This paper describes the design and methods of the study.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01103531.

Keywords: Aerobic; Exercise; Methamphetamine dependence; Outcomes; Treatment intervention.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Amphetamine-Related Disorders / therapy*
Exercise Therapy / methods*
Female
Humans
Male
Methamphetamine*
Middle Aged
Residential Facilities
Resistance Training / methods
Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
Young Adult

Substances

Methamphetamine

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01103531

Grants and funding

R01 DA027633/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States