Effects of Tai Chi on attentional bias in men with methamphetamine use disorder

This study investigated the rehabilitative effects of a 12‐week Tai Chi intervention on attentional bias and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation in men with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Forty‐eight male participants were randomized into a Tai Chi group or a moderate‐intensity treadmill‐running control group, of whom 44 completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Attentional bias scores and synchronous PFC activation via functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) were assessed using a visual dot‐probe paradigm. Compared to the control group, the Tai Chi group exhibited a significant reduction in attentional bias scores. Furthermore, oxy‐hemoglobin (oxy‐Hb) beta values in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), and frontopolar area (FPA) were significantly better maintained (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that 12 weeks of moderate‐intensity Tai Chi is associated with reduced methamphetamine‐related attentional bias and better maintained PFC oxy‐Hb beta values, which may reflect improved attentional regulation in men during drug rehabilitation. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400083490); URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=228812 ; Registered 26 April 2024.