Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Alcohol use disorder is a widespread problem in Denmark and has harsh impacts on health and quality of life of each person. The treatment of alcohol use disorder involves evidence-based knowledge on medical treatment, physical training, and psychological management. The aim of this study is to find out the effect of physical exercise on alcohol intake, ability of the body to supply oxygen to working muscles during the exercise and socio-psychological outcomes.
Who can participate?
300 consecutive patients entering the alcohol outpatient clinic in Odense and suffering from alcohol use disorder, abuse or dependence according are enrolled in the study.
What does the study involve?
Over a period of 12 months, 300 patients will be enrolled in the study. After the patients have provided a written and an oral consent the initial interview is carried out. Then the patients are randomly allocated to one of three groups: (A) treatment as usual, (B) treatment as usual and physical exercise in groups, or (C) treatment as usual and physical exercise alone. Patients in groups B and C will follow a 24-week programme, either alone or in a training group. The exercise involves brisk walking or running. All patients will be tested and they will fill in a questionnaire at the start of the study, after 6 months and after 12 months. At the end of the study, these information will be analyzed. We will compare the groups B and C with the control group A, to see if there is any effect of adding physical exercise to alcohol treatment.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
We hope that the benefits of participating will be better physical condition, better mood and well-being, and more sensible drinking behavior. There are no risks of participating in the study.
Where is the study run from?
The study has been set up by the University of Southern Denmark and Unit for Clinical Alcohol Research in Odense, Denmark.
When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study is starting to enroll participants from May 2013 to May 2014. The last enrolled participant is expected to join physical exercise until May 2015. After that we have a year to complete analysis, documentation of results and conclusion.
Who is funding the study?
Funding has been provided by the Lundbeck-foundation, the Tryg-foundation and University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
Who is the main contact?
Professor Kirsten Kaya Roessler
kroessler@health.sdu.dk
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Physical exercise as a supplement to treatment of alcohol use disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Acronym
Study hypothesis
The specific objectives of this study are to examine whether physical activity done alone or in groups as an adjunct to outpatient alcohol treatment has an effect on:
1. Alcohol intake 6 months and 12 months after initiation treatment
2. PatientsÂ’ wellbeing, fitness, anxiety, depression and interpersonal problems
We hypothesize that physical exercise with moderate intensity yields significant clinical improvements.
Ethics approval
The Regional Scientific Ethical Committee for Southern Denmark (J.nr. S-20130031) and the Danish Data Protection Agency. All procedures in the study are in accordance with the second Declaration of Helsinki.
Study design
Single-centred, randomized-controlled study
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Not specified
Trial type
Not Specified
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Alcohol abuse
Intervention
1. Physical exercise in groups
2. Physical exercise alone
3. Control group (no physical exercise)
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Specified
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
The primary endpoint analysis (6 months) will be a comparison of outcomes for patients assigned to treatment-as-usual (TAU) group (A) versus the combined physical exercise experimental groups- TAU and group exercise (B) and TAU and individual exercise (C). The outcome will be measured by the proportion of patients with sensible drinking according to the limits by the Danish National Board of Health (Sensible drinking is defined as drinking maximum 14/21 drinks/week among women/men, one drink contain 12 grams of pure alcohol). The primary outcome will be in the intention to treat group using last observation carried forward.
Secondary outcome measures
1. 12 months analysis: When participant have participated 12 months in interventions or control group. First participant starts baseline testing 1st May 2013. Hence first outcome will be measured 1st May 2014.
2. The health status: at baseline, after 6 months participation and after 12 months participation
3. The percentage of patients with reduced depression, anxiety and interpersonal problems: at baseline, after 6 months participation and after 12 months participation
4. Maximum oxygen uptake: at baseline, after 6 months participation and after 12 months participation
Overall trial start date
01/05/2013
Overall trial end date
30/04/2014
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant 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
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
300
Participant exclusion criteria
Age under 18 and over 60 years. None native Danish speaking, have severe psychosis or cognitive impairment, have severe physical disabilities or medical problems and don't accept participating in the study
Recruitment start date
01/05/2013
Recruitment end date
30/04/2014
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Denmark
Trial participating centre
Institute of Psychology
Odense
5230
Denmark
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Southern Denmark (Denmark)
Sponsor details
Institute of Psychology
Campusvej 55
Odense
5230
Denmark
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
The Lundbeck Foundation (Lundbeck-fonden) (Denmark) and Tryg-fonden (Denmark)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list