Exercise trials suggest lower drug-craving scores, with low confidence in the evidence
Randomized trials reported favorable craving results for several exercise approaches, while the best type and amount remained uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Aerobic exercise, high-intensity interval exercise and combined aerobic and resistance exercise were associated with lower craving scores than control conditions in the analysis. The evidence was rated low quality. Because craving was the measured outcome, these results do not establish effects on abstinence, relapse or long-term recovery from substance use disorders.
Evidence quality was rated low. The abstract omits control activities and intervention lengths, limiting assessment of how comparable the exercise programs and control conditions were.
What researchers found
Drug-craving scores after acute aerobic exercise
Acute aerobic exercise versus control: average scores differed by -0.23 standard deviations, meaning lower craving with exercise. These units reflect score variability; exact assessment timing was unspecified.
Understanding the score
The acute aerobic-exercise finding expresses a difference relative to variation in craving scores. Standard-deviation units allow different craving scales to be compared, but the result cannot be read as a percentage reduction in drug use.
Interpreting the dose model
The authors modeled how exercise amount related to craving and proposed a preferred amount. The abstract gives a dose estimate alongside a session schedule, but does not explain the conversion between them.
The original publication
Effects of different exercise types on craving in substance use disorder patients with drug dependence -network meta-analysis and dose-response relationships based on frequentist and Bayesian models.
Wang C, Yang Y, Wang K et al.
Addict Sci Clin Pract · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41413589
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.