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A recent review published online on October 30 in PLOS ONE highlights the effectiveness of exercise interventions in reducing alcohol dependence among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Conducted by Jihai Li and colleagues from Xinjiang Normal University in Urumqi, China, the systematic literature review analyzed data from 17 randomized controlled trials involving 1,905 participants diagnosed with AUD.
The findings indicate that incorporating exercise into treatment regimens significantly decreases alcohol dependence, as evidenced by reductions in the number of drinks consumed daily and improvements in scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Additionally, the exercise intervention positively impacted various aspects of physical and mental health, including maximal oxygen uptake, resting heart rate, anxiety levels, depression, and overall stress.
Despite demonstrating significant outcomes, the review noted high heterogeneity in the results concerning daily alcohol consumption, anxiety, depression, and stress levels, as indicated by I² values greater than 50 percent. However, Egger’s test confirmed no publication bias across all measured outcomes.
The authors emphasize the need for future research to delve deeper into the types and intensities of exercise used in interventions, advocating for the development of tailored exercise prescriptions that cater to the specific needs of diverse patient populations. This approach could enhance clinical treatment strategies for AUD, potentially improving recovery rates and quality of life for those affected.
For more information, refer to the study: Jihai Li et al, “Effectiveness of exercise intervention in improving physical and mental status of patients with alcohol use disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0311166.
