Effects of mindfulness yoga intervention on physical function, anxiety, inflammatory response, and relapse intention in methamphetamine addicts: a 24-week randomized controlled trial
Su Xia Chen, Zhi Xue Lyu, Zong Ji Hao, Qiang Tang, Wan Jun Li
Frontiers in Public Health April 14, 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1788887 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Individuals with methamphetamine use disorder meeting DSM-5 criteria |
| Intervention | Mindfulness yoga |
| Duration | 24-week intervention |
| Topics | Addiction Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomized controlled trial Psychological intervention Distress Physical therapy Intervention counseling Mental health Methamphetamine Clinical psychology Mindfulness-based stress reduction Sleep disorder |
| Key findings | Mindfulness yoga improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, enhanced physical function and reaction time, and lowered relapse intention in MA addicts compared to controls. |
Abstract
Background: Methamphetamine (MA) addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder that impairs physical health, induces mental distress (e.g., anxiety), and triggers abnormal inflammatory and neurotransmitter responses, all contributing to high relapse rates. Mindfulness and yoga interventions may alleviate psychological distress and improve physical well-being in substance users; however, few studies have systematically investigated their comprehensive effects on physical function, inflammatory markers, neurotransmitter balance, and relapse intention in MA addicts, leaving a gap in non-pharmacological interventions for this population.
Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 24-week yoga intervention integrated with mindfulness components on multiple health outcomes among individuals with methamphetamine use disorder, ncluding physical function (assessed by Functional Movement Screening [FMS], reaction time, sleep quality, subjective fatigue, and creatine kinase [CK]), anxiety, inflammatory response (tumor necrosis factor- α [TNF-α], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]), heart rate variability (HRV), relapse-related neurotransmitters (dopamine [DA], serotonin [5-HT], and norepinephrine [NE]), and relapse intention.
Methods: Eighty MA addicts meeting DSM-5 criteria were randomly assigned to an experimental group ( n = 41; 40-min mindfulness yoga sessions, three times weekly for 24 weeks) or a control group ( n = 39; no additional intervention). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention for all outcomes, with additional measurements at 4 and 12 weeks for fatigue, CK, and inflammatory markers.
Results: Following the 24-week intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in sleep quality (PSQI score reduced from 14.32 to 8.41), anxiety levels (BAI score decreased), FMS total score (increased from 9.24 to 12.12), and reaction time (improved from 0.59 s to 0.48 s) compared to baseline and controls ( p < 0.01). Relapse intention (OCDS score reduced from 29.12 to 18.45) and NE levels significantly decreased, while DA and 5-HT levels significantly increased ( p < 0.01). The experimental group also showed enhanced parasympathetic activity (higher HF index, lower LF/HF ratio; both p < 0.01), reduced CK, TNF- α , IL-6, and subjective fatigue, and elevated IL-10 levels ( p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared with a traditional relaxation and stretching control condition, mindfulness yoga intervention demonstrated superior efficacy in improving physical function, sleep quality, and reaction ability of MA addicts. These findings support mindfulness yoga as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for MA addiction rehabilitation. Clinical trial registration https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=40393 , Unique Identifier is ChiCTR1900024439.