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Cognitive Improvement in Methamphetamine-Dependent Males: A Randomized Trial Comparing Different Exercise
Xuejie Zhang1, Jisheng Xu1, Xulin Zhou1
1School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 641418, China.
Brain Sciences
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Multimodal cognitive exercise training significantly improved cognitive function and brain activation in methamphetamine-dependent individuals. This intervention showed the greatest overall benefit compared to aerobic exercise or traditional regimen training.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Long-term methamphetamine use leads to cognitive impairments and disrupted brain function.
- Effective treatments for cognitive dysfunction in methamphetamine users are lacking.
- This study investigates exercise interventions for cognitive enhancement in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effects of traditional regimen training, aerobic exercise, and multimodal cognitive exercise training on cognitive function and brain activation in methamphetamine-dependent individuals.
- To explore the neural mechanisms underlying exercise-induced cognitive improvements.
- To compare the efficacy of different exercise modalities.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, assessor-blind, controlled study involving 162 male methamphetamine-dependent individuals.
- Participants were assigned to traditional regimen training (TR), aerobic exercise (AE), multimodal cognitive exercise training (MC), or a control group (MA) for 8 weeks.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop task, Memory and Executive Screening (MES), and choice reaction time tests. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured brain activation.
Main Results:
- All three interventions (TR, AE, MC) significantly improved Stroop task accuracy.
- Aerobic exercise and multimodal cognitive exercise training increased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC, R-DLPFC) and left frontal pole area (L-FPA).
- All interventions improved MES-T scores and shortened choice reaction time, with multimodal cognitive exercise training demonstrating the most significant overall improvements.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive deficits in methamphetamine dependence may be linked to reduced prefrontal cortex activity.
- Different exercise interventions yield distinct patterns of cognitive and neural improvements.
- Multimodal cognitive exercise training appears most effective for enhancing cognitive function and brain activation in this population.
