Cited by 160Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesPhysical Activity and HealthAlcohol Consumption and Health Effects

Exercise as treatment for alcohol use disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis

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Hallgren, Mats, Vancampfort, Davy, Giesen, Esther S, Lundin, Andreas, Stubbs, Brendon·2017·British Journal of Sports Medicine

Abstract

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating effects of exercise for people with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) across multiple health outcomes. We also investigated the prevalence and predictors of dropout from exercise studies in AUDs. Design: Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis with meta-regression analyses. Data sources: 3 major electronic databases were searched from inception until April 2016 for exercise intervention studies in adults with AUDs. Eligibility criteria: Studies of acute exercise in people with AUDs; and randomised and non-randomised trials examining effects of long-term (≥2 weeks) exercise. Results: 21 studies and 1204 unique persons with AUDs (mean age 37.8 years, mean illness duration 4.4 years) were included. Exercise did not reduce daily alcohol consumption (standardised mean difference (SMD) =−0.886, p=0.24), or the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) total scores (SMD=−0.378, p=0.18). For weekly consumption (n=3 studies), a statistically significant difference was observed favouring exercise (SMD=−0.656, p=0.04), but not after adjustment for publication bias (SMD=−0.16, 95% CI −0.88 to 0.55). Exercise significantly reduced depressive symptoms versus control (randomised controlled trials (RCTs) =4; SMD=−0.867, p=0.006, I 2 =63%) and improved physical fitness (VO 2 ) (RCTs=3; SMD=0.564, p=0.01, I 2 =46%). The pooled dropout rate was 40.3% (95% CI 23.3% to 60.1%) which was no different to control conditions (OR=0.73, p=0.52). Dropouts were higher among men (β=0.0622, p<0.0001, R 2 =0.82). Limitations: It was not possible to investigate moderating effects of smoking. Conclusions: Available evidence indicates exercise appears not to reduce alcohol consumption, but has significant improvements in other health outcomes, including depression and physical fitness. Additional long-term controlled studies of exercise for AUDs are required.

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Authors
Hallgren, M., Vancampfort, D., Giesen, E. S., Lundin, A., & Stubbs, B.
Affiliations
  • Karolinska Institutet (SE)
  • KU Leuven (BE)
  • German Sport University Cologne (DE)
  • King's College London (GB)
Corresponding author
Hallgren, Mats
Venue
British Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2017-01-13
Volume
51
Issue
14
Pages
1058-1064
ISSN
  • 0306-3674 (ISSN-L)
  • 1473-0480
OpenAlex
W2571910151
Cited by
160
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 13
FWCI
2.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Lirias (submittedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
Keywords
physical activity, alcoholism, alcohol consumption, depressive symptoms, physical fitness, VO2, exercise dropout, predictors of dropout, sex differences
MeSH terms
Alcohol Drinking, Depression, Exercise Therapy, Humans, Patient Dropouts, Physical Fitness, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Alcohol-Related Disorders

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