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

70 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if exercise can reduce alcohol craving in heavy social alcohol drinkers. The main questions this project aims to answer are 1) compared to a distraction activity (i.e., coloring), will mild-to-moderate intensity exercise (i.e., walking on a treadmill) reduce alcohol craving; 2) compared to a distraction, will mild-to-moderate intensity exercise reduce the amount of consumption of an alcohol-placebo beverage.

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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment involving exercise and art therapy for alcohol use disorder?

Research suggests that exercise can be a promising treatment for alcohol use disorder, as it may help reduce drinking and improve overall wellness. Studies have shown that exercise increases physical activity levels and may contribute to long-term recovery when used alongside other treatments. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is exercise safe for people with alcohol use disorder?

Exercise is generally considered safe for people with alcohol use disorder, as studies have shown it can help reduce alcohol consumption and improve physical fitness without significant safety concerns. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

How does the treatment of exercise and coloring differ from other treatments for alcohol use disorder?

This treatment is unique because it combines physical exercise with art therapy, such as coloring, to help reduce alcohol consumption and improve physical fitness. Unlike traditional treatments that may focus solely on counseling or medication, this approach offers a non-stigmatizing, holistic way to manage alcohol use disorder by promoting overall wellness and self-expression. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Research Team

Jesus Chavarria, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Western University

Eligibility Criteria

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

References

1. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of exercise in non-treatment seeking adults with alcohol use disorder: A three-armed randomized controlled trial (FitForChange). [2022]

2. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise training - A beneficial intervention in the treatment of alcohol use disorders? [2022]

3. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise as treatment for alcohol use disorder: A qualitative study. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized clinical trial of exercise for nontreatment seeking adults with alcohol use disorder. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic exercise for alcohol recovery: rationale, program description, and preliminary findings. [2022]

6. Switzerland 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. [2021]