A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of Tai Chi on the drug craving in women

Abstract Purpose: This study was conducted in the purpose of investigating the effect of Tai Chi on drug craving for women with drug disorders.Methods: 112 women were recruited from a drug rehabilitation center in China, and 47 and 48 were finally analyzed in control group and exercise group, respectively. Exercise group underwent a three-month Tai Chi training, whereas the control group experienced no exercise intervention during the same time period. The drug craving was measured by visual analogue scale. In data analysis, repeated-measures were utilized to test the differences between the control and exercise group over the course of the experiment time.Results: The mean of the craving score significantly dropped from pre-test (control: mean=5.38, SD=3.04; exercise: mean=4.68, SD=2.93) to post-test (control: mean=4.03, SD=2.73; exercise: mean=1.91, SD=1.90) in both groups (control group: t=3.84, df=46, p<0.001; exercise group: t=5.941, df=47, p<0.001), with more decrease witnessed in the exercise group. Repeated- measures analysis with a Huynh-Feldt correction showed the significant effect of time (F=27.383, p<0.001) as well as the study group by time interaction (F=3.52, p=0.024). Conclusion: Tai Chi can ameliorate the drug craving in women and it could be a supportive treatment for drug addiction.