Recreational sport-based activity improves psycho-emotional status in community-dwelling individuals living with substance abuse disorder

Physical activity is known to improve mental well-being both in the general population and among individuals affected by various health conditions. This study aims to assess the effect of recreational sport-based physical activity (SBA) on depression, anxiety, and other parameters that measure mental wellness in a cohort of community-dwelling individuals living with substance use disorder. Twenty subjects (age: 26.1±3.2 years, mean±SD) participated in an 8-week training program. These subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: a) a group practicing sport-based physical activity; and b) a nonexercising group, performing as control. Depression and anxiety levels were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the PROMIS Anxiety Short Form, respectively. Additionally, insomnia and perceived stress were evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The PROMIS score significantly improved after 8 weeks of SBA in the treated group compared to controls (group × time; F1,29 = 5.58; p = 0.025), indicating that anxiety improved significantly following the intervention. The BDI score improved in the intervention group (-24,4; CI,11.5-37.4; p<0,0018), but no interaction was detected (group × time F1,29 = 5.58; p=0.23). No significant difference at 8 week was found also in the PSS and ISI score (PSS: F1,4.= 1.21; p = 0.35. ISI: F1,4 = 1.21; p=0.21). SBA significantly improved anxiety among community-dwelling individuals living with substance use disorder. Thereby, recreational sport-based activity may represent a viable and effective approach to enhance the mental health status in this class of subjects.