NCT02570360

Brief Summary

The research study compares the substance abuse treatment outcomes (e.g., craving, withdrawal symptoms, rates of use, abstinence) of standard intensive outpatient care, with or without an added 6-wk aerobic exercise component. In addition, certain biomarkers associated with both exercise and substance use (e.g., endocannabinoids and cortisol) will be assessed. In a rolling admissions format over the course of a year, approximately 36 treatment-seeking substance users who are currently receiving Intensive Outpatient Treatment through a local Alcohol or Other Drug Abuse agency will be randomized to either receive 6 weeks aerobic exercise training in addition to standard care or standard care with 6 weekly laboratory visits to complete questionnaires (18 per group).

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
21

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2015

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2015

Completed
28 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 29, 2015

Completed
8 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 7, 2015

Completed
11 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 1, 2016

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 1, 2016

Completed
Last Updated

December 18, 2019

Status Verified

December 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

1 year

First QC Date

September 29, 2015

Last Update Submit

December 13, 2019

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Withdrawal Checklist: Change in physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms over the course of the intervention

    withdrawal symptoms will be assessed using the Withdrawal Checklist which asks participants to rate the severity of a variety physical and psychological symptoms over the past 48 hours. The total score on the Withdrawal Checklist will be used to provide an overall measured of withdrawal.

    up to 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • change in cortisol concentrations

    measured before and after sessions (via saliva swab) during the first, third, and sixth weeks of the 6-week intervention

  • change in endocannabinoid concentrations

    measured before and after sessions (via single venipuncture)during the first, third, and sixth weeks of the 6-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will engage in their outpatient treatment program as-usual, but additionally complete 30mins of moderately intense aerobic exercise 3 times per week for 6 weeks. They will complete 6 weeks of treatment, totaling 18 sessions with exercise.

Behavioral: exercise

treatment-as-usual

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will engage in their outpatient treatment program as-usual,but additionally complete 6 weekly, hour-long visits to complete questionnaires. They will complete 6 weeks of treatment (6 sessions total).

Behavioral: treatment-as-usual

Interventions

exerciseBEHAVIORAL

The EX participants will engage in supervised, individual treadmill exercise 3xs/wk at the UW Natatorium. Sessions will consist of a 5-minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of a moderate to moderately-high intensity exercise and then finish with a 5-minute cool down. Questionnaires will be completed before and after exercise on a weekly basis.

exercise

The control (standard care) participants will come to the UW-Natatorium on a weekly basis to complete questionnaires.

treatment-as-usual

Eligibility Criteria

Age21 Years - 55 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Intact cognitive status and ability to provide informed consent
  • ability to read and write in English sufficient to provide consent and complete study questionnaires
  • current diagnosis of a single or of multiple substance use disorders
  • currently enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Treatment substance use program
  • desire to quit and to seek treatment for substance use
  • currently sedentary, not participating in any formal/structured exercise program

You may not qualify if:

  • a history or present diagnosis of severe depression, psychotic, or bipolar disorder
  • presence of cardiac disease or any other medical condition that would make engaging in exercise unsafe
  • Undergoing methadone treatment
  • chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, or autoimmune disorders
  • women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Brellenthin AG, Crombie KM, Hillard CJ, Brown RT, Koltyn KF. Psychological and endocannabinoid responses to aerobic exercise in substance use disorder patients. Subst Abus. 2021;42(3):272-283. doi: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1680480. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Substance-Related Disorders

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Chemically-Induced DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

  • Angelique Brellenthin, MS

    UW-Madison

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 29, 2015

First Posted

October 7, 2015

Study Start

September 1, 2015

Primary Completion

September 1, 2016

Study Completion

September 1, 2016

Last Updated

December 18, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-12

Locations