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

PMID: 36267065
Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
Published: 2022
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Male methamphetamine-dependent individuals in a compulsory rehabilitation center.
- Sample size: 46
- Age: 18-40 years eligible
- Sex: Men only
- Fitness level: Prior regular exercise exposure in rehabilitation trial
- Health status: Substance use disorder; abstinent during compulsory treatment

## Methodology

- Assessor-blind randomized acute exercise trial
- Single 30-minute exercise session with acute post-test
- Shanghai compulsory rehabilitation center
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Acute treadmill HIIT.
- Modality: Treadmill running and walking.
- Work intervals: 2 min running.
- Recovery: 2 min self-paced walking.
- Sets or repetitions: 5 cycles.
- Intensity: 85-95% HRmax during running.
- Session duration: 30 min.
- Frequency: Single session.
- Program length: Acute.
- Progression: No progression.
- Tai Chi.
- Modality: Modified Tai Chi.
- Work intervals: 20 min continuous modified Tai Chi.
- Sets or repetitions: One 20-min bout plus warm-up/cooldown.
- Intensity: 55-75% HRmax.
- Session duration: 30 min.
- Frequency: Single session.
- Program length: Acute.
- Progression: No progression.

## Outcomes

### Go RT
Status: improved
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.

### No-go accuracy
Status: improved
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.

### Stroop accuracy
Status: mixed
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.

### Stroop RT
Status: improved
Stroop reaction time improved over time without group interaction.

615.5 to 580.0 ms; time effect p<0.001.

### Intensity
Status: mixed
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.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36267065/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.941719) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9577467/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.