Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of aerobic combined with resistance exercise on the level of 5-HT in the peripheral blood of methamphetamine (METH) withdrawal patients, improving cue-induced craving and impulse.
Methods： Fifty methamphetamine withdrawal patients were included. The patients underwent eight weeks of aerobic combined with resistance exercise. The sessions lasted an hour and were conducted five times a week. Impulsivity (BIS-11), craving (VAS craving), and control (VAS control) were assessed before and after the intervention. ELISA was used to detect peripheral blood 5-HT levels.
Results： The results showed that peripheral blood 5-HT and VAS control significantly increased after the exercise. In contrast, VAS craving and BIS-11 significantly decreased after the exercise.
Conclusions： We present that eight weeks of aerobic combined with resistance exercise can alter the peripheral blood 5-HT levels of METH withdrawal patients and improve the cue-induced craving and impulse levels.