Exercise and Treatment-as-usual in Substance Use Treatment Outcomes

University of Wisconsin (UW)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Substance-Related Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: treatment-as-usual; Behavioral: exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02570360

1R36DA040140-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

EDUC\KINESIOLOGY\KINESIO (Other Identifier)

2015-0710

A176000 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The research study compares the substance abuse treatment outcomes (e.g., craving, withdrawal symptoms, rates of use, abstinence) of standard intensive outpatient care, with or without an added 6-wk aerobic exercise component. In addition, certain biomarkers associated with both exercise and substance use (e.g., endocannabinoids and cortisol) will be assessed. In a rolling admissions format over the course of a year, approximately 36 treatment-seeking substance users who are currently receiving Intensive Outpatient Treatment through a local Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse agency will be randomized to either receive 6 weeks aerobic exercise training in addition to standard care or standard care with 6 weekly laboratory visits to complete questionnaires (18 per group).

Enrollment: 21 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 21 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Intact cognitive status and ability to provide informed consent
• ability to read and write in English sufficient to provide consent and complete study questionnaires
• current diagnosis of a single or of multiple substance use disorders
• currently enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Treatment substance use program
• desire to quit and to seek treatment for substance use
• currently sedentary, not participating in any formal/structured exercise program

Exclusion criteria

• a history or present diagnosis of severe depression, psychotic, or bipolar disorder
• presence of cardiac disease or any other medical condition that would make engaging in exercise unsafe
• Undergoing methadone treatment
• chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, or autoimmune disorders
• women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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21 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will engage in their outpatient treatment program as-usual, but additionally complete 30mins of moderately intense aerobic exercise 3 times per week for 6 weeks. They will complete 6 weeks of treatment, totaling 18 sessions with exercise.

Treatment:

Behavioral: exercise

treatment-as-usual

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants will engage in their outpatient treatment program as-usual,but additionally complete 6 weekly, hour-long visits to complete questionnaires. They will complete 6 weeks of treatment (6 sessions total).

Treatment:

Behavioral: treatment-as-usual