Professor
Kirsten Kaja Roessler
Institute of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark
Project management | ||
Project status | Closed | |
Data collection dates | ||
Start | 01.04.2013 | |
End | 30.06.2016 | |
Physical exercise in treatment of alcohol use disorders is suggested to have an effect on alcohol intake, cardiorespiratory fitness and socio-psychological outcomes. Healthy Lifestyle Study tests this effect in a randomized controlled trial with three arms:
Baseline information on patients' alcohol behavior, cardiorespiratory fitness and psychological factors are collected. Follow up data are collected after 6 and 12 months.
Alcohol use disorder is a widespread problem in Denmark and has severe impacts on health and quality of life of each individual. The clinical treatment of alcohol use disorder involves evidence-based knowledge on medical treatment, physical training, and psychological management. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of physical exercise on alcohol intake, cardio-respiratory fitness and socio-psychological outcomes.
The outcome of current alcohol treatment is modest, as relapse rates are high. Interventions that can increase the effectiveness of treatment are strongly needed. Relapse prevention strategies in alcohol treatment fall into two broad categories: 1) Specific intervention techniques, often designed to help the patient cope with high-risk situations and 2) Global self-control approaches, intended to reduce relapse risk by promoting positive lifestyle change. With reference to these strategies, physical exercise can be used both as early prevention, and as part of a continuous treatment process.
Despite the potential benefits of exercise interventions, only few studies have tested the impact of exercise as an adjunct to alcohol treatment. Findings from the studies support a positive relationship between physical exercise and drinking outcome. However, most of the studies suffer from methodological limitations such as small sample sizes or high dropout.
The overall purpose of the Healthy Lifestyle study is to evaluate the effect of adding exercise to treatment of outpatients with alcohol use disorder.
180 consecutive patients entering the alcohol outpatient clinics in Odense and Svendborg, and suffering from alcohol use disorder, abuse or dependence according to DSM-IV-TR, are enrolled in the study if they meet the following inclusion criteria: Age between 18 and 60 years, Native Danish speaking, have no severe psychosis or cognitive impairment, have no severe physical disabilities or medical problems and accept participating in the study.
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark
Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, University of Southern Denmark
Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark
Department of Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital
Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen
The Alcohol Outpatient Clinic, Odense
The Alcohol Outpatient Clinic, Svendborg