Effects of exercise in non-treatment seeking adults with alcohol use disorder: A three-armed randomized controlled trial (FitForChange)

Most individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) do not seek treatment. Stigma and the desire to self-manage the problem are likely explanations. Exercise is an emerging treatment option but studies in non-treatment seeking individuals are lacking. We compared the effects of aerobic exercise, yoga, and treatment as usual (phone-based support) on alcohol consumption in non-treatment seeking adults with AUD. Three-group parallel, single blind, randomized controlled trial. 140 physically inactive adults aged 18–75 diagnosed with AUD were included in this community-based trial. Participants were randomized to either aerobic exercise (n = 49), yoga (n = 46) or treatment as usual (n = 45) for 12-weeks. The primary study outcome was weekly alcohol consumption at week 13 (Timeline Follow-back). A significant decrease in weekly alcohol consumption was seen in all three groups: aerobic exercise (mean ∆ = − 5.0, 95% C = − 10.3, − 3.5), yoga group (mean ∆ = − 6.9, 95% CI = − 10.3, − 3.5) and TAU (mean ∆ = − 6.6, 95% CI = − 8.8, − 4.4). The between group changes were not statistically significant at follow-up. Per-protocol analyzes showed that the mean number of drinks per week reduced more in both TAU (mean ∆ = − 7.1, 95% CI = − 10.6, − 3.7) and yoga (mean ∆ = − 8.7, 95% CI = − 13.2, − 4.1) compared to aerobic exercise (mean ∆ = − 1.7, 95% CI = − 4.4, 1. 0), [F(2, 55) = 4.9, p = 0.011]. Participation in a 12-week stand-alone exercise program was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in alcohol consumption comparable to usual care (phone counseling) by an alcohol treatment specialist. •We evaluated the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga as stand-alone treatment for adults with alcohol use disorder.•Many adults with alcohol use disorder are interested in exercise to help reduce their alcohol consumption.•Exercise alone, in particular yoga-based exercise, had effects on consumption comparable to phone counselling by a clinician.