Characteristics and impact of physical activity interventions during substance use disorder treatment excluding tobacco: A systematic review

Abstract

Substance use disorder is a worldwide issue that entails negative health and physical activity is a promising complementary therapy for alleviating the consequences. The objective of this reviews is to characterize physical activity interventions offered in the literature and explore their effects during treatment for people with substance use disorders with excluding studies focusing only on tobacco use. A systematic search of seven databases on articles including a physical activity intervention during a treatment for substance use disorder was done and an examination of the presence of bias was performed. A total of 43 articles including 3135 participants were identified. Most studies were randomized controlled trial (81%), followed by pre-post design (14%) and cohort studies (5%). The most common physical activity intervention identified was of moderate intensity, 3 times per week (≈ 1 hour) for 13 weeks. Cessation/reduction of substance use was the most studied outcome (21 studies, 49%), and 75% showed a decrease in substance use following physical activity intervention. Aerobic capacity was the second most studied effect (14 studies, 33%), with more than 71% of studies showing improvement. Twelve studies (28%) reported a decrease of depressive symptoms. Physical activity interventions in a treatment for substance use disorder seem to be a promising, but more methodologically rigorous scientific studies are needed.

Predictors and Prevalence of Alcohol and Cannabis Co-use Among Filipino Adolescents: Evidence From a School-based Student Health Survey

“…Our findings on the inverse relationship between physical activity and substance co-use among adolescents align with global studies that suggest active participation in physical activities serves as a protective factor against substance use [ 29 , 30 ]. This relationship highlights the extensive benefits of physical activity, which go beyond physical health to encompass mental health and social well-being [ 31 ].…”

Effect of physical exercise on the emotional and cognitive levels of patients with substance use disorder: a meta-analysis

“…Physical exercise, emerging as a novel intervention for patients with SUD, has proven effective (Dowla et al, 2022). A previous systematic review from Piché et al (2023) has suggested that most common physical activity intervention during SUD treatment identified was of moderate intensity, 3 times per week (≈ 1 h) for 13 weeks, leads to a similar conclusion of the present study. Another meta-analysis on the effects of exercise of different intensities on withdrawal symptoms among people with SUD indicated that different intensity exercise reduced depression after the intervention with moderate-intensity exercise producing the best effect, while only light-and moderate-intensity exercise relieved anxiety (Li et al, 2023).…”

A Group Motivational Intervention to Support Motivation for Physical Activity among Adults in Residential Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Protocol for a N-of-1 Study

“…Some studies report reductions in craving and substance use (Piché et al, 2023;Rensburg et al, 2009Rensburg et al, , 2013, psychological distress and symptoms of mental ill-health (Paluska & Schwenk, 2000;Saxena et al, 2009), as well as increased quality of life, selfesteem, relapse prevention efficacy, and perceived physical health and psychological wellbeing (Furzer et al, 2021),. However, other studies found no significant changes in anxiety, depression, self-efficacy and substance use behaviour (Colledge et al, 2018;Giménez-Meseguer et al, 2020;Linke & Ussher, 2015;Piché et al, 2023;Thal et al, 2023;Thompson et al, 2020). Overall, studies of PA in SUD treatment are highly heterogenous, demonstrating high risk of bias (Piché et al, 2023;Thal et al, 2023;Thompson et al, 2020).…”