title: Study Protocol: The influence of Running Therapy on executive functions and sleep of prisoners.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Executive dysfunction appears to be related to increased recidivism. Of note is that sleep disturbances, which are highly prevalent in prisons, may attenuate executive functions. Thus, improving executive functions, either directly or indirectly through the improvement of sleep, may reduce recidivism. It is hypothesised that physical exercise, in the form of Running Therapy, has a direct positive effect on executive functions as well as an indirect effect through the improvement of sleep.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy two (N = 72) detainees in various penitentiary institutions in the Netherlands will be recruited in this study. A baseline measurement, including six neuropsychological tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), an assessment of sleep quality and duration using the Actiwatch (Actiwatch 2, Philips Respironics, Murrysville, PA, USA) and various other measurements will be administered before the start of the treatment. After 3 months of Running Therapy, participants will be assessed again with the same tests for neuropsychological and physical functioning. Primary outcomes are executive functioning and various sleep variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study will be the first to investigate the possible influence of Running Therapy on the cognitive functioning, sleep and aggression in prisoners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081BT, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meijers
authors.affiliation: Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081HV, Netherlands ; Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, 1081HV, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harte
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Philosophy, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081HV, Netherlands ; Tilburg Law School, Tilburg University, Tilburg, 5037DE, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gerben
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meynen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081BT, Netherlands ; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081BT, Netherlands ; Leuphana University, Lüneburg, D-21335, Germany.
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuijpers
keywords: Actiwatch; CANTAB; executive functions; offenders; physical activity; prison; running therapy; sleep