Effects of Tai Chi on attentional bias in men with methamphetamine use disorder

This study investigated the rehabilitative effects of a 12-week Tai Chi intervention on attentional bias and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation in men with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Forty-eight male participants were randomized into a Tai Chi group or a moderate-intensity treadmill-running control group, of whom 44 completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Attentional bias scores and synchronous PFC activation via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were assessed using a visual dot-probe paradigm. Compared to the control group, the Tai Chi group exhibited a significant reduction in attentional bias scores. Furthermore, oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) beta values in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), and frontopolar area (FPA) were significantly better maintained (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that 12 weeks of moderate-intensity Tai Chi is associated with reduced methamphetamine-related attentional bias and better maintained PFC oxy-Hb beta values, which may reflect improved attentional regulation in men during drug rehabilitation. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400083490); URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=228812 ; Registered 26 April 2024.