STANDING BALANCE IMPROVEMENTS IN ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS AFTER A SHORT-TERM TREATMENT

Introduction Alcohol ingestion negatively impacts physical performance, causing worsening of psychomotor skills and reduced balance (Wober et al., 1999). Evidence indicates that exercise-related activities are associated with positive outcomes in the treatment of alcohol misuse disorders (Carraro, 2013; Weinstock, Barry & Petry, 2008). The purpose of the present study was to analyse changes in standing balance after a multidimensional short-term treatment of alcohol misuse, including exercise programs, in a group of chronic alcoholics. Method Participants were 32 alcoholic patients (20 men, 12 women; mean age 45.4, SD 9.2 years) consecutively admitted to a residential treatment. They participated to a mean of 15 (SD 3.5) group-based exercise sessions during a 4-week period of hospitalization. Pre- postmeasures of standing balance were collected by using a low cost set up based on Nintendo Wii Balance Board (WBB) and administrating a Romberg test with opened and closed eyes, with and without a pad-foam on the WBB. A 41 healthy subjects control group was also considered. Results Compared with healthy subjects, alcoholic patients revealed at the pre-test reduced standing balance(-44.3%, Cohen’s d = -0.58). Patients reported significant improvements after the treatment in the opened-eyes WBB tests (mean sway area pre vs. post without foam 7.0 vs. 4.1, p = .001; with foam 25.8 vs. 15.5, p = .048). Significant differences were recorded also in the closed-eyes tests (mean sway area 10.43 vs. 8.10, p = .041; 84.6 vs. 59.2, p < .001 respectively). Discussion Findings support the notion that standing balance control seems to be a serious problem for chronic alcoholics. A multidimensional treatment of alcohol misuse, including exercise-related activities, appears as an effective strategy to ameliorate in the short time standing balance control in this population. Further research is needed to evaluate the maintenance over the time of these positive outcomes. References Carraro A (2013). The role of exercise in alcohol dependence recovery. Edi-Ermes, Milano. Weinstock J, Barry D, Petry N (2008). Addict Behav, 33, 1072–1075. Wober C, Wober-Bingol C, Karwautz A, Nimmerrichter A, Deecke L, Lesch O (1999). Acta Neurol Scand, 99, 48-53.