Effects of an Exercise Program on Physical Activity Level and Quality of Life in Patients with Severe Alcohol Dependence

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the feasibility of an exercise program for patients with severe alcohol dependence in a long-term residential setting and the ability of such a program to improve their level of physical activity and quality of life. Forty-four (44) participants were assigned to two groups, an intervention group experiencing the exercise program and a control group which did not participate in the program. Another matched control group, without the health issues of the other two groups, was also used as a basis of comparison. The study was designed as a year-long longitudinal controlled study with a pre-post design. Measures used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention were attendance records, the SF-36 questionnaire, and monitoring devices of daily activity. Active participants in the exercise program showed a significant improvement in physical activity and an enhanced quality of life.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise
• physical activity level
• quality of life
• severe alcohol use disorders

Acknowledgment

We thank Christine Koliamitra for critical reading and languages help and Alexander Schenk for providing help with the graphics.

Notes

¹ VIVA = Verein für die Integrative Versorgung Abhängigkeitskranker (Association of integrative health care for addicted people).