PMID 36267065

Research
All papers

Comparison of the acute effects of Tai chi versus high-intensity interval training on inhibitory control in individuals with substance use disorder

Yin Y, Yang S, Xiao K, Wang T, Wang J, Schöllhorn WI, Zhu D, Pang X

Question

How do the acute effects of Tai Chi and high-intensity interval training compare for inhibitory control in individuals with substance use disorder?

Summary

In men with methamphetamine use disorder in a compulsory rehabilitation center, one 30-minute session of either Tai Chi or treadmill HIIT improved inhibitory-control task performance acutely. HIIT produced higher heart rate and RPE, and showed broader Stroop accuracy gains, but the study cannot separate exercise type from intensity and had no non-exercise control.

Methodology

  • Male methamphetamine-dependent individuals in a compulsory rehabilitation center.
  • 46 participants.
  • Treadmill running and walking.
  • Work intervals: 2 min running.
  • Recovery: 2 min self-paced walking.
  • Intensity: 85-95% HRmax during running.
  • 30 min.
  • Single session.
  • Acute.
  • Assessor-blind randomized acute exercise trial
  • Go/No-go, Stroop, and Exercise intensity were tracked.

Outcomes

Go RT

Go reaction time improved after exercise regardless of group.

393.5 to 376.2 ms; time effect F(1,44)=8.424, p=0.006; no time x group p=0.274.

Improved

No-go accuracy

No-go accuracy improved in both Tai Chi and HIIT groups.

No-go accuracy p=0.003; TC p=0.028; HIIT p=0.037.

Improved

Stroop accuracy

Stroop accuracy improved more broadly in HIIT than Tai Chi.

Time x group p=0.047; post-HIIT accuracy higher than Tai Chi, p<0.001.

Mixed

Stroop RT

Stroop reaction time improved over time without group interaction.

615.5 to 580.0 ms; time effect p<0.001.

Improved

Intensity

HIIT produced higher HR and perceived exertion than Tai Chi.

TC HR 121 +/- 8 bpm and RPE 13 +/- 1; HIIT HR 148 +/- 21 bpm and RPE 16 +/- 2; group p<0.001.

Mixed

Insights

  • A 5 x 2-min HIIT session may acutely improve some cognitive task measures under supervision.
  • Lower-intensity Tai Chi may be preferable in early or higher-risk rehabilitation stages.
  • Do not translate acute cognitive task changes into addiction-treatment claims.

Limitations

  • Acute-only study
  • Men only
  • Clinical institutional sample
  • No non-exercise control group
  • Exercise type and intensity were confounded
  • Fixed cognitive task order
  • No substance-cue inhibitory task

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported.
  • HIIT allowed speed changes or quitting if needed.
  • Participants were screened for major respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous system, and psychiatric exclusions.