Physical Activity as an Adjunct Therapy for Substance Use Disorder: A Structured Narrative Clinical Review of Cardiovascular Risk Reduction and Craving Outcomes

Authors

• Carolyn M. Noble, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Family Medicine

Advisor

Debra Munsell, DHSc, PA-C, DFAAPA

Abstract

Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with significantly increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. The current mainstay of treatment focuses on pharmacologic therapy and behavioral interventions. These treatment plans lack the incorporation of physical activity as an adjunct therapy.  This structured clinical review evaluates the emerging literature regarding the effects of aerobic exercise, mind-body interventions, and physical therapy on individuals with SUD.  A PubMed search was conducted with inclusion criteria initially limited to the past 5 years, then extended to 10 years due to a lack of data. The data found demonstrated that aerobic exercise has the greatest cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction and is linked to high levels of patient-reported substance-related craving reduction. Mind-body interventions were found to yield CVD risk reduction; however, they were found to have a longer-lasting impact on reducing cravings and provided skill sets for trigger reduction in SUD patients.

A significant gap exists in the literature regarding the specific role that physical therapy (PT) could play in craving reduction SUD therapy. This leads to a need for future research to be conducted.  This structured narrative clinical review is limited by potential bias and the inclusion of several studies with small sample sizes, which affect generalizability.

Physical activity is an effective adjunct therapy for SUD, which addresses both CVD, a common comorbidity, and substance-related cravings. The integration of aerobic, mind-body intervention, and PT into SUD treatments should be considered by clinicians to improve psychological and physiological outcomes.

Keywords: substance use disorder, cardiovascular disease, craving reduction, physical activity, aerobic exercise, mind-body interventions, physical therapy.

Recommended Citation

Noble CM. Physical Activity as an Adjunct Therapy for Substance Use Disorder: A Structured Narrative Clinical Review of Cardiovascular Risk Reduction and Craving Outcomes. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).