Effects of Long-term Exercise on Psychological, Physiological, Biochemical and Alcohol-related Parameters in Heavy Drinkers
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Heavy Drinking
- Sponsor
- University of Thessaly
- Enrollment
- 13
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in alcohol consumption (grams of alcohol consumed weekly)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 10 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of long-term aerobic exercise of moderate intensity on psychological, physiological, biochemical, physiological and alcohol-related parameters in heavy drinkers, in order to investigate possible biochemical mechanisms by which exercise may be a healthy alternative to alcohol abuse.
Detailed Description
The mechanism of incentives that lead people to unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol consumption is not only social, personal, and psychological, but also associated with neurochemical and neurobiological mechanisms. Several programs have been developed to stop excessive drinking, but the success rates are small, while the relapse rates are very high, reaching up to 90%. Although there is some evidence for the beneficial effects of exercise on alcohol use disorders, research is limited. The present study investigates whether exercise can act as adjunct therapy for alcohol abuse cessation. One of the basic assumptions is that the appropriate form of exercise in alcoholics will contribute to the secretion of beta-endorphin, which in combination with psychological pleasure, vitality, change of mood, reduced stress, increased confidence, and the shift of attention will help people to follow healthy lifestyles and abhor alcohol. The research project is divided in three phases. In the first phase, the effect of acute exercise in critical psychological, physiological, biochemical and alcohol-related parameters associated with excessive alcohol consumption will be examined. In the second phase (current study), a long-term exercise program in conjunction with psychological support strategies aimed at alcohol abuse cessation will be developed, implemented and evaluated. Finally, in the third phase, based on the results of the previous phases, awareness programs in adolescent and adult populations will be designed and implemented as well as the dissemination of results and evaluation of the project will take place.
Investigators
Athanasios Z. Jamurtas
Dr
University of Thessaly
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Men drinking \>14 drinks/week or \>4 drinks/occasion; Women drinking \>7 drinks/week or \>4 drinks/occasion (1 drink = 14 grams of pure alcohol; definition of the NIAAA for drinking at low risk for developing an AUD; NIAAA, 2014)
- •Individuals drinking 5 or more drinks on the same occasion on each of 5 or more days in the past 30 days (1 drink = 14 grams of pure alcohol; definition of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for heavy drinking; NIAAA, 2014) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score\>8
Exclusion Criteria
- •Medical conditions or medication use that would preclude participation in aerobic exercise
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in alcohol consumption (grams of alcohol consumed weekly)
Time Frame: At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention
Self-recorded
Changes in Beta-endorphin levels
Time Frame: At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention
Measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA)
Secondary Outcomes
- Urge to drink(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Cortisol(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- C-reactive protein (CRP)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Complete blood count(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Lactic acid(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- γ-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Sit and reach flexibility test for the hamstrings muscles and lower back(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Grip strength(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Number of push-ups performed in one minute(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)
- Number of sit-ups performed until exhaustion(At baseline and at 4th week of control condition; at baseline (before intervention), at 4th week and at 8th week of intervention)