title: A preliminary, randomized trial of aerobic exercise for alcohol dependence.
abstract: Interventions targeting physical activity may be valuable as an adjunct to alcohol treatment, but have been relatively untested. In the current study, alcohol dependent, physically sedentary patients were randomized to: a 12-week moderate-intensity, group aerobic exercise intervention (AE; n=25) or a brief advice to exercise intervention (BA-E; n=23). Results showed that individuals in AE reported significantly fewer drinking and heavy drinking days, relative to BA-E during treatment. Furthermore adherence to AE strengthened the beneficial effect of intervention on alcohol use outcomes. While high levels of moderate-intensity exercise appeared to facilitate alcohol recovery regardless of intervention arm, attending the group-based AE intervention seemed to further enhance the positive effects of exercise on alcohol use. Study findings indicate that a moderate intensity, group aerobic exercise intervention is an efficacious adjunct to alcohol treatment. Improving adherence to the intervention may enhance its beneficial effects on alcohol use.
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906. Electronic address: Richard_Brown@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abrantes
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906.
authors.forename: Haruka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260.
authors.forename: Jennifer P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Read
authors.affiliation: University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093.
authors.forename: Bess H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jakicic
authors.affiliation: University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906.
authors.forename: Mary Ella
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dubreuil
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906.
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Alpert Medical School of Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903.
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.affiliation: Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kahler
authors.affiliation: University of Tennesee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996.
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Stuart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: Adherence; Aerobic exercise; Alcohol; Alcohol dependence; Exercise; Intervention; Physical activity; Treatment