P9 The impact of an adjunctive group-based exercise programme on alcohol consumption and psychological outcomes among adults attending UK alcohol treatment services: a randomised controlled pilot study

Introduction Alcohol abuse is the leading global cause of premature mortality among 15–49 year olds and is associated with an increased risk of liver disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression. Regular exercise reduces the risk of several associated comorbidities and ameliorates depression, anxiety and stress; known facilitators of relapse among those abusing alcohol. However, the current evidence base for exercise training among those with alcohol dependency is sparse. To address limitations of the small number of previous studies (no objective measurement alcohol consumption and a lack of comparison to non-exercise standard treatment), we investigated whether exercise alongside standard care provides additional benefits regarding alcohol consumption and mental health, versus standard care treatment alone, among people abusing alcohol. Methods The study was a two-arm, parallel-group randomised controlled pilot trial comparing the impact of a 12 week group exercise programme (comprising circuit, bodyweight and interval aerobic training), alongside alcohol treatment standard care (comprising group/individual counselling and pharmaceutical interventions), versus standard care alone on changes in alcohol consumption, alcohol cravings and mental health outcomes. Sixty eight treatment-seeking alcohol abuse patients, aged 18–65 years and with a baseline AUDIT score ≥ 8, were recruited (30 randomized to the exercise/standard care group; 38 to the standard care only group) with 57 participants completing up to the Week 13 follow-up. Results Participants in both groups self-reported a comparable reduction in alcohol consumption (7 day drinking diary/AUDIT score) and craving between baseline and the Week 13 follow-up; however objective alcohol consumption (PEth level) was only reduced among those in the exercise/standard care group (table 1). Despite this, there was no significant difference in the change in PEth level scores between the two groups (p>0.05; table 1). Similarly, despite a trend of more pronounced improvements in mental health scores (PHQ-9 depression; GAD anxiety) between baseline and the Week 13 follow-up among participants in the exercise/standard care group, there was no significant differences in the change in these endpoints between the two groups over time (p>0.05; table 1). Discussion A 12 week group exercise programme, alongside standard care, provided no statistically significant changes in alcohol consumption, cravings and depression/anxiety scores versus standard care alone among people attending treatment for alcohol abuse, despite the fact that only participants in the exercise/standard care group reduced their objective alcohol consumption.