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

University of Wisconsin, Madison21 enrolled

Overview

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).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Substance-Related Disorders

Interventions

The EX participants will engage in supervised, individual treadmill exercise 3xs/wk at the UW Natatorium. Sessions will consist of a 5-minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of a moderate to moderately-high intensity exercise and then finish with a 5-minute cool down. Questionnaires will be completed before and after exercise on a weekly basis.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 55 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Withdrawal Checklist: Change in physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms over the course of the intervention

withdrawal symptoms will be assessed using the Withdrawal Checklist which asks participants to rate the severity of a variety physical and psychological symptoms over the past 48 hours. The total score on the Withdrawal Checklist will be used to provide an overall measured of withdrawal.

Time frame: up to 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

change in cortisol concentrations

Time frame: measured before and after sessions (via saliva swab) during the first, third, and sixth weeks of the 6-week intervention

change in endocannabinoid concentrations

Time frame: measured before and after sessions (via single venipuncture)during the first, third, and sixth weeks of the 6-week intervention