Exercise for Alcohol Use Disorder

(Alc-Excr Trial)

Overseen By Harry Prapavessis, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Western University, Canada

Disqualifiers: Alcohol use disorder, Cannabis use disorder, Psychiatric disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 1 day

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether exercise, such as walking on a treadmill, can reduce alcohol cravings in heavy social drinkers. The study compares exercise to a calming activity, like coloring (also known as Coloring Therapy or Art Therapy), to determine which is more effective at reducing cravings and the consumption of non-alcoholic drinks. Suitable participants are those who drink heavily in social settings but do not have a severe alcohol disorder. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to innovative research that may provide new methods for managing cravings.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. Please consult with the trial coordinators for more details.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that exercise is generally safe for people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Studies have found that exercise can boost mental health and lower anxiety in those with AUD. One study found that participants felt less urge to drink after a short session of aerobic exercise.

For the coloring activity, while art therapy hasn't been extensively studied for substance use disorders, it is considered safe. Art therapy might help engage brain areas related to trauma and addiction, which can aid in recovery.

Both exercise and coloring are activities that people usually handle well, with no known serious side effects. However, consulting a healthcare provider before starting any new activity is always wise, especially if there are existing health concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer new, non-pharmacological approaches to managing alcohol use disorder. Unlike traditional options such as medication and therapy, moderate intensity exercise like treadmill walking provides a physical outlet that might boost mood and reduce cravings by naturally enhancing brain chemistry. Meanwhile, coloring in adult coloring books serves as a distraction activity, potentially helping individuals manage urges and stress without relying on medication. These methods could provide accessible and low-cost alternatives with fewer side effects, offering new hope for those seeking to overcome alcohol dependence.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing alcohol craving?

Research has shown that exercise, which participants in this trial may engage in, can help reduce alcohol dependence and improve mental health for people with alcohol use disorder. Some studies have found that exercise can lower the amount of alcohol consumed weekly, although it might not change binge drinking frequency. Coloring, another activity studied in this trial, can help by engaging parts of the brain affected by substance use. It may reduce anxiety and support addiction recovery. Both exercise and coloring benefit alcohol use management, but exercise appears more effective in reducing overall alcohol consumption. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jesus Chavarria, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Western University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for heavy social drinkers who have between 10-40 standard drinks weekly and engage in binge drinking. Participants should be those who typically consume four or more (women) or five or more (men) drinks in one sitting.

Inclusion Criteria

I drink 10-40 alcoholic drinks weekly and have 1-5 binge drinking sessions.

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline measures assessing inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as baseline alcohol craving and subjective response measures

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to either exercise or coloring activity after consuming a low-dose alcohol beverage to induce craving

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in alcohol craving and consumption post-intervention

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Coloring
• Exercise

Trial Overview The study is testing if walking on a treadmill, which is mild-to-moderate exercise, can help reduce the craving for alcohol and decrease the consumption of an alcohol-like placebo compared to doing a distracting activity like coloring.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Moderate intensity treadmill walking (40%-59% of heartrate reserve).

Group II: Coloring Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Coloring in an adult coloring book as a distraction activity

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Western University, Canada

Lead Sponsor

Trials

270

Recruited

62,500+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 12-week study involving 140 adults with alcohol use disorder showed that both aerobic exercise and yoga led to significant reductions in weekly alcohol consumption, similar to treatment as usual (phone-based support).

While all groups experienced decreased alcohol intake, the yoga and treatment as usual groups had greater reductions compared to the aerobic exercise group, suggesting that these approaches may be more effective for non-treatment seeking individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of exercise in non-treatment seeking adults with alcohol use disorder: A three-armed randomized controlled trial (FitForChange). Gunillasdotter, V., Andréasson, S., Jirwe, M., et al.[2022]

Exercise interventions combined with standard treatment significantly reduced overall alcohol consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorder, as shown in a meta-analysis of seven studies involving 492 participants.

While exercise improved physical fitness levels significantly, it did not have a notable effect on binge drinking behaviors, suggesting that exercise may be more effective for reducing overall drinking volume rather than binge episodes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise as a Useful Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Improve Physical Fitness in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Lardier, DT., Coakley, KE., Holladay, KR., et al.[2021]

Exercise training may significantly benefit individuals with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) by positively impacting mental health factors such as stress, anxiety, impulsivity, and depression.

The review highlights that exercise may enhance social interactions and boost self-efficacy, which can help reduce excessive alcohol consumption, suggesting a multifaceted approach to treating AUDs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise training - A beneficial intervention in the treatment of alcohol use disorders? Stoutenberg, M., Rethorst, CD., Lawson, O., et al.[2022]

A study involving 12 non-treatment-seeking adults with alcohol use disorder found that engaging in yoga and aerobic exercise can motivate lifestyle changes that help reduce alcohol cravings and improve overall health.

Participants reported that the mood-enhancing effects of exercise boosted their self-confidence and self-esteem, leading to healthier decisions regarding alcohol consumption.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise as treatment for alcohol use disorder: A qualitative study. Gunillasdotter, V., Andréasson, S., Hallgren, M., et al.[2023]

Exercise may play a crucial role in supporting recovery from alcohol use disorders, potentially helping to reduce relapse rates by promoting healthy lifestyle changes.

A 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program was developed as an adjunctive treatment for alcohol-dependent patients, with preliminary data from a pilot study of 19 participants suggesting positive outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise for alcohol recovery: rationale, program description, and preliminary findings. Brown, RA., Abrantes, AM., Read, JP., et al.[2022]

A randomized clinical trial with 66 sedentary adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) showed that both exercise interventions (gym membership alone and gym membership with motivational support) significantly increased exercise behavior over 4 months.

While both groups experienced reductions in drinking and alcohol-related consequences, these improvements were not significantly different between the two intervention types, suggesting that exercise alone may not directly influence alcohol consumption outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized clinical trial of exercise for nontreatment seeking adults with alcohol use disorder. Weinstock, J., Petry, NM., Pescatello, LS., et al.[2021]

Citations

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Art therapy's engagement of brain networks for enduring ... Art therapy is proposed as a treatment approach for SUD for its apparent activation of key neural networks that are also impacted by trauma.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10162529/

A pilot randomized clinical trial of biomedical link with mental ... A pilot randomized clinical trial of biomedical link with mental health in art therapy intervention programs for alcohol use disorder: Changes ...

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Effect of Mandala Colouring on Anxiety and Withdrawal ... The study concluded that mandala colouring can be considered as a safe and effective nursing intervention for patients admitted for de-addiction ...

4. digitalcommons.lesley.edu digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=expressive_theses

Art Therapy and the Recovery Process: A Literature Review The effectiveness of art therapy interventions in reducing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. (PTSD) symptoms in pediatric trauma patients. Art Therapy: Journal of ...

5. scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu/bitstreams/768cfe1c-5fff-4860-9496-642608b98c40/download

alcohol detox - IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks A mixed methods survey design gathered data from art therapists with experience in worDing with substance use disorders (SUD) and, more importantly, the detox.

6. digitalcommons.unomaha.edu digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1197&context=university_honors_program

Art and Rehabilitation One such variation of treatment for substance use disorders that has been minimally researched is the use of art therapy and/or therapeutic art-making. Engaging ...

7. digital.auraria.edu digital.auraria.edu/files/pdf?fileid=c59936c6-252e-4a91-9516-27306c031bab

Art Therapy for Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment by ... ART THERAPY FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. 17. Existing ... Measuring mindfulness and examining its relationship with alcohol use and negative consequences.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4268880/

The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse ... Our findings suggest treatment programs may be utilizing art and music therapies to address unique patient needs of women and adolescents.