Feasibility trial of an unsupervised, facility-based exercise programme for depressed outpatients.

This pilot study examined feasibility of an unsupervised, facility-based exercise programme for promoting exercise adherence among depressed adult outpatients. The potential effect of adding physical activity counselling on depressive symptoms and physical activity was also explored. Participants were randomly assigned to a 12-week programme comprising an orientation and access to fitness centre resources (control, n = 18) or that programme plus 6 physical activity counselling sessions (intervention, n = 18). Outcome measures were feasibility (fitness centre attendance over 12 weeks); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) completed at baseline and week 12; and qualitative programme feedback. Fitness centre attendance averaged only 12 days (14% of all possible days) with no differences between study groups. No group differences were found on IPAQ or BDI-II scores at week 12. Increases from baseline in IPAQ moderate/vigorous activity minutes were associated with decreases in BDI-II scores at week 12 (p < 0.001). The most helpful programme aspect reported was connecting participants to fitness centre resources. In this pilot study of depressed outpatients, an unsupervised fitness centre based program was not feasible for promoting exercise adherence and adding physical activity counselling was not useful for increasing physical activity levels or reducing depression.

Validation of the revised Self-Administered Alcohol Screening Test (SAAST-R).

This study examined the sensitivity and specificity of the revised Self-Administered Alcohol Screening Test (SAAST-R)1 among adult outpatients evaluated at community addictions and psychiatry and psychology clinics. A total of 417 adults (mean +/- SD age of 41.4 +/- 15.0 years, 52% female, 91% Caucasian) completed the 36-item SAAST-R prior to their evaluation. Based on the clinician's documentation of the patient's alcohol use, two criterion groups were established: one composed of subjects classified as having no alcohol problems (n = 214), and one with alcohol problems (n = 203). The SAAST-R was found to have high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96), sensitivity (90%), and specificity (82%) for differentiating outpatients with and without alcohol problems, respectively, using a cut point of >or=4 to indicate risk for alcohol-related problems. The SAAST-R was found to have good sensitivity and specificity among both males and females.