Functional physical condition in patients with alcohol addiction and its evolution after 4 weeks of rehabilitation

Objective. - It has been reported that adapted physical activity for health (APAS) may prevent or repair alcohol-related neurological damage. The present retrospective study aimed to discover the functional physical condition of patients with alcohol addiction and observe the effects of the program on it. Methods. - Two hundred and seventy four alcohol-addicted patients performed 4 weeks of addictology program with APAS. Cardiovascular fitness (6-minute walk test), lower-body strength (30-s chair test), balance (unipodal stance test) and flexibility (Fingertip-to-Floor distance) were evaluated before and after the APAS mediation program. These values were compared to the standard of the general age-matched population. The total hourly volume of APAS was 19 hours of moderate-intensity exercise over 4 weeks. Results. - At the onset of care, the physical fitness level of 92% of alcohol-addicted patients (was below the standard of the general age-matched population and 93% presented one comorbidity at least. Regardless of the severity of their overall health and initial physical condition, physical performance on all tests was significantly improved after the short-term exercise training (19 hours over 4 weeks) whatever the patient's initial fitness level (P < 0.001). The results suggest that the assessment of physical condition has many interests in the therapeutic support of patients with alcohol addiction. The prescription of APAS might be considered as a non pharmaceutical therapy in primary and secondary prevention of autonomy and chronic diseases in patients with addictive disorders. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This retrospective study aimed to explore the functional physical condition of alcohol-addicted patients and observe the effects of an adapted physical activity for health (APAS) program on their physical performance. The study found that after a 4-week APAS intervention, cardiovascular fitness, lower-body strength, balance, and flexibility significantly improved in alcohol-addicted patients. The results suggest that assessing physical condition plays a crucial role in the therapeutic support of patients with alcohol addiction.