Research Impact: Exercise is increasingly studied for treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here, we examined the effects of a single bout of exercise on alcohol craving, variability in response, and factors associated with improved craving among 117 adults with AUD (52.7 years; 68.4% female) with elevated alcohol craving. Following a 12-min sub-maximal fitness test performed on a cycle ergometer craving was significantly reduced (g=0.60), with 40% experiencing clinically meaningful reductions in craving (g≥0.50). In fully adjusted models, higher pre-exercise craving (OR=1.15) and lower fitness (OR=0.88) were associated with reduced craving. In most adults with AUD, short bouts of exercise reduce cravings.
Hallgren M, Herring MP, Vancampfort D, Hoan MT, Andersson V, Andreasson S, Abrantes AM (2021). Changes in craving following acute aerobic exercise in adults with alcohol use disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 142:243-249. (IF: 4.791; C=; Q1 Psychiatry; R=26/143) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395621005069
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