An interventional study of Indoor Cycling and Indoor Cycling in Cannabis Abuse, Cannabis Dependence and Cannabis Use Disorder, sponsored by The University of Hong Kong. Recruiting at 1 site in Hong Kong. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-07-29.
Sponsored by The University of Hong Kong · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
In Hong Kong, although the total number of drug abusers is trending down in recent years, the number of cannabis users continues to surge. The misuse of cannabis, if left unattended, predisposes various degrees of dependence and use disorders, which could later on induce psychotic disorders and schizophrenia. Effective strategies combating cannabis dependence and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are therefore warranted.
Exercise presents as a low-cost and low-stigma alternative to traditional pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of substance use disorders, which also promotes physical well-being with virtually no side effects. While exercise has some success in treating use disorders of stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco, evidence of its effects on CUD remains scarce. Hence, the present study will be conducted to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week aerobic exercise training regimen on reducing cannabis dependence and the severity of CUD.
Participants with cannabis dependence will be randomly assigned to either the exercise or the control group. Participants assigned to the exercise group will partake in a 12-week aerobic exercise training program of vigorous-intensity using indoor bikes, whereas those assigned to the control group will perform sham exercise of very light-intensity on indoor bikes. The 12-week study is divided into three (3) 4-week phases:
Cannabis use-related, cognitive, and physical outcomes will be assessed every 4 weeks, whereas withdrawal symptoms will be assessed and urine quick test administered every week.
517 studies on the registry are indexed under Marijuana Abuse; 114 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 60 is close to the median of 60 across 421 interventional studies indexed under Marijuana Abuse.
Browse Marijuana Abuse studies →The University of Hong Kong is the lead sponsor of 1,262 studies on the registry; 340 are open to participants now.
Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.
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Suffering from cannabis addiction, defined by:
i. Cannabis Dependence with an SDS score ≥ 3, or ii. Cannabis Use Disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5), or iii. Cannabis Harmful Use or Dependence according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) or Clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements for International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Exclusion Criteria:
Had been diagnosed with the following disorders, including:
i. Neurodevelopmental Disorders DSM-5: Intellectual Disabilities, Communication Disorders, Specific Learning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Motor Disorders ICD-11: Disorders of intellectual development (6A00), Developmental speech or language disorders (6A01), Autism spectrum disorder (6A02), Developmental learning disorder (6A03), Developmental motor coordination disorder (6A04), Stereotyped movement disorder (6A06), Primary tics or tic disorders (8A05.0) ii. Other DSM-5 defined Substance Use Disorder greater than mild in severity (i.e., severity score ≥ 2), except for tobacco or caffeine iii. Neurocognitive Disorders (DSM-5, or ICD-11 6D70-72 \& 6D80-86)
Behavioral: Indoor Cycling
Behavioral: Indoor Cycling
Indoor cycling at 60-70% HR reserve for 30 minutes.
Indoor cycling at 20-30% HR reserve for 30 minutes.
Clinical Diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5) is used to ascertain the diagnosis and severity of CUD
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Psychological Dependence on Cannabis
Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) is used to assess psychological dependence on cannabis
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Urine Toxicology Test
Drug of Abuse Urine Test Kits is used to ascertain recent use of cannabis and/or other substances
Time frame: At enrollment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Cannabis Craving
Marijuana Craving Questionnaire - Short Form (MCQ-SF) is used to assess cannabis craving
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Cannabis Problems
Cannabis Problems Questionnaire (CPQ) is used to assess cannabis-related problems
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Cannabis Withdrawal
Cannabis Withdrawal Scale (CWS) is used to assess cannabis withdrawal symptoms
Time frame: At enrollment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Self-Efficacy in Cannabis Use Reduction
Marijuana Reduction Strategies Self-Efficacy Scale (MRSSES) is used to assess self-efficacy in reducing cannabis use
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Self-reported Substance Use History
The frequency and amount of cannabis and substance use in the past 30 days is recorded
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Global Cognitive Function
Montreal Cognitive Assessment - HK version (MoCA-HK) is used to assess global cognitive function
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Psychomotor Speed
Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) is used to assess psychomotor speed
Time frame: At enrollment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Body weight (in kg)
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Height (in cm)
Time frame: At enrollment
Waist circumference (in cm)
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Cardiopulmonary Capacity
Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) is measured to assess cardiopulmonary capacity
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Resting Energy Expenditure
Time frame: At enrollment and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Self-reported Physical Activity Participation
International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) is used to record the 7-day physical activity participation
Time frame: At enrollment and 9, 10, 11, and 12 weeks after enrollment
Plan to share: No
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