Resistance Exercise and Cannabis Use

NCT ID: NCT03867786

Last Updated: 2023-01-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-02-01
• Study Completion Date: 2024-12-01

Brief Summary

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug and rates of hazardous use, and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), have continued to rise in recent years. The highest rates of use and CUDs are seen in young adults (20 - 24 years old) with more than 50% of young adults reporting lifetime use of cannabis, 35% report use in the past year, and 20% report use in the past month. Increased exposure produces higher risk for detrimental psychological and behavioral effects of cannabis use. Given this increased prevalence of cannabis use and associated risks, identifying effective behavioral strategies that reduce cannabis craving, negative psychological effects, and alter neurobiological mechanisms underlying problematic cannabis use are an avenue of needed research. Exercise, particularly resistance exercise, is a behavioral intervention with considerable potential as an adjunctive treatment for CUD.

Detailed Description

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug and rates of hazardous use, and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), have continued to rise in recent years. The highest rates of use and CUDs are seen in young adults (20 - 24 years old) with more than 50% of young adults reporting lifetime use of cannabis, 35% report use in the past year, and 20% report use in the past month. Increased exposure produces higher risk for detrimental psychological and behavioral effects of cannabis use. Given this increased prevalence of cannabis use and associated risks, identifying effective behavioral strategies that reduce cannabis craving, negative psychological effects, and alter neurobiological mechanisms underlying problematic cannabis use are an avenue of needed research. Exercise, particularly resistance exercise, is a behavioral intervention with considerable potential as an adjunctive treatment for CUD.

The aims of this proposal seek to address these issues by implementing acute resistance exercise protocol in men and women who have cannabis use disorder. This proposal will: 1 examine the effect of an acute resistance exercise protocol on affect, stress, and compulsive urge to use in non-treatment seeking young adults with CUD 2.examine whether an acute resistance exercise session in individuals with CUD is associated with induced alterations in the appetitive/ reward hormone ghrelin These findings will inform the further development for exercise interventions for cannabis use disorder that can be used with the aim of supporting individuals with CUD reduce use and decrease the negative effects of withdrawal.

Conditions

Cannabis Use Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Exercise Condition

Participants will undergo a 40 minute exercise protocol

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Exercise

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete an acute exercise visit.

Video Control Condition

Participants will view a 40 minute nature video

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Video Control

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete a video control visit.

Interventions

Exercise

Participants will complete an acute exercise visit.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Video Control

Participants will complete a video control visit.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Healthy individuals between the ages of 18-30 years who currently meet for a moderate or severe cannabis use disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.

2. Untrained (no structured exercise program for at least the previous 6 months) as verified by self-report on a physical activity form.

3. No previous bone or muscle problems or previous injuries that would prevent free movement about the shoulder, hip, knee or ankle, or increase the risk of discomfort or injury during exercise. No ongoing back problems.

4. No known endocrine disorders (including, but not limited to Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism, Cushing's Syndrome, Diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome or other inflammatory disorders).

5. No history of blood clotting disorders.

6. Able to read English and complete study assessments

7. Voluntarily provide informed consent and sign the informed consent document.

8. Able to provide negative toxicology screenings for substances, except for cannabis, at intake.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Meet current criteria for a moderate or severe substance use disorder for any other substance besides cannabis

2. Have any current psychiatric disorders with acute symptoms (i.e., psychosis, suicidal, homicidal, current mania).

3. Younger or older than the specified age range of 18-30.

4. Any endocrine, bone, muscle problems, previous injuries, back problems, or blood clotting disorders.

5. Cardiac and severe respiratory illnesses (i.e. arrhythmias, enlarged heart, COPD) -

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Penn State University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Gwendolyn Thomas

Assistant Research Professor, Kinesiology

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Gwendolyn Thomas, PhD

Role: CONTACT

gat112@psu.edu

8148633172

Other Identifiers

12345

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id