AUTHOR=Lardier David T. , Coakley Kathryn E. , Holladay Kelley R. , Amorim Fabiano T. , Zuhl Micah N. 

TITLE=Exercise as a Useful Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Improve Physical Fitness in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675285

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2021.675285

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> This meta-analysis and systematic review examined the effects of exercise interventions on alcohol consumption and binge drinking in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).</p><p><bold>Data sources:</bold> PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SPORTDiscus, and ERIC databases.</p><p><bold>Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:</bold> Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials published in English between 1970 and 2021. All studies compared exercise (Ex) and treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU in adults with an alcohol-related diagnosis. All forms of exercise interventions were included (e.g., aerobic exercise, yoga, resistance exercise, etc.).</p><p><bold>Data Extraction:</bold> Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols standard and the Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies guidelines were followed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool as described by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews and Interventions.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The literature searches retrieved a combined 2527 studies, with 1,034 studies screened after removal of duplicates and 973 (94%) rejected after reviewing titles and abstracts. Full-text review was performed on 61 studies, with seven studies meeting inclusion criteria for qualitative and meta-analysis. Across seven studies (<italic>n</italic> = 492 participants), a significant effect (Z-value = −3.37; g = −0.30; 95% CI [−0.50—−0.09]; <italic>p</italic> = 0.001) was found for Ex+TAU on drinking volume. There was no effect of Ex+TAU on binge drinking. The effect of Ex+TAU on physical fitness (VO<sub>2</sub>max, ml•kg<sup>−1</sup>•min<sup>−1</sup>) was significant (Z-score = 3.70; g = 0.64; 95% CI [0.19–1.08]; <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Exercise interventions may decrease alcohol consumption and improve fitness and can be an effective adjunctive treatment for individuals with alcohol-related diagnoses including AUD.</p>