Beneficial effects of Tai Chi for amphetamine-type stimulant dependence: a pilot study.
Author: Zhu D1, Xu D2, Dai G1, Wang F1, Xu X3, Zhou D1
Affiliation:
1a Chinese Wushu Research Center , Shanghai University of Sport , Shanghai , China.
2b Shanghai Drug Administration , Shanghai , China.
3c Anti-Doping Research Laboratory , Shanghai University of Sport , Shanghai , China.
Conference/Journal: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse.
Date published: 2016 May 21
Other:
Volume ID: 1-10 , Word Count: 315
BACKGROUND: Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese sport that is classified as a moderate exercise. Recent studies have evaluated the effectiveness of Tai Chi in substance abuse rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and physical effects of a Tai Chi intervention on individuals with amphetamine-type stimulant (stimulant) dependence.
METHODS: Sixty male subjects with stimulant dependence from a Shanghai Mandatory Detoxification and Rehabilitation Center participated in a 12-week trial. Tai Chi was used as an intervention in the experimental group (n = 30). The control group (n = 29) underwent standard care, which included recreation activity, gesture language exercise, and self-education. Outcome measures included the quality of life for drug addiction (QOL-DA) questionnaire [four scales consisting of physiology (e.g., energy level), psychology (e.g., depression), symptoms (e.g., physical symptoms), society (e.g., interpersonal) and fitness evaluations (assessed by body mass index, body fat, hand-grip, flexibility, balance)]. Repeated measures were used to analyze the changes over time.
RESULTS: Test scores of the QOL-DA in the Tai Chi group significantly increased after 12 weeks in the following areas: physiology, 8.71 (p = 0.005), symptoms, 4.34 (p = 0.042), society, 15.79 (p < 0.001), and total score, 10.60 (p = 0.002). A post hoc test further revealed that quality of life improved in the Tai Chi group but not in the standard care group. Physical results showed a significant interaction with balance(F(1,56) = 6.92, p = 0.011); participants in the Tai Chi group improved by 10 s while there was no change in the standard care group. Although there were no significant interactions in the fitness outcomes (i.e., hand-grip and sit-and-reach tests), the within-group factor displayed significant changes in body fat (F(1,56) = 27.79, p < 0.001) in both groups.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that Tai Chi is a promising exercise that improves quality of life for individuals with stimulant dependence.
KEYWORDS: Exercise; Tai Chi; amphetamine-type stimulants; methamphetamine; physical activity; substance abuse; synthetic drugs
PMID: 27211290 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
BACK
