Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Inhibitory Control in Methamphetamine Addicts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on inhibitory control among individuals with methamphetamine (MA) addiction and to examine potential dose–response relationships influenced by gender and intervention parameters. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating AE interventions targeting inhibitory control in individuals with MA addiction published before July 2024 were systematically retrieved from six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang). Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analyses were conducted with RevMan 5.3, and publication bias was examined using funnel plots and Egger’s test via Stata MP 18.0. The certainty of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. Nine papers comprising 11 studies with a total of 587 participants were included. Although most studies showed a moderate risk of bias due to incomplete reporting of blinding, the pooled analysis demonstrated significant benefits of AE on inhibitory control. Specifically, AE significantly improved behavioral accuracy (n = 455, SMD =0.77, 95 % CI: 0.14–1.40, p = 0.02) and reduced reaction time (n = 498, SMD = −0.51, 95 % CI: −0.84 to −0.18, p = 0.002). Subgroup analyses indicated that the magnitude of improvement was associated with gender and varied according to intervention duration, frequency, and exercise modality. Aerobic exercise exerts a significant positive effect on inhibitory control in individuals with methamphetamine addiction. The outcomes suggest a potential dose–response pattern moderated by gender and specific intervention parameters. These findings provide empirical support for integrating structured aerobic programs into rehabilitation protocols for MA addicts. Future research should refine exercise prescriptions and elucidate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms driving these cognitive benefits.