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Symposia

Adult- Health Psychology / Behavioral Medicine

Adapting Exercise Interventions to Increase Community Engagement, Engage Vulnerable Populations, and Utilize Innovative Assessment Methods

3 - (SYM 68) Peer-facilitated Physical Activity Delivered In-person versus Virtually in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder in Methane Maintenance Treatment

Saturday, November 16, 2024
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM EST
Location: Regency Ballroom C1, Second Floor Mezzanine, Loews Hotel
Abstract Body


Background:   While methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been effective in improving opioid use outcomes, many patients continue to engage in unhealthy lifestyles that lead to significant mental and physical health consequences. Interventions targeting increases in physical activity (PA) in MMT patients could significantly reduce the overall morbidity in these individuals. Grounded in a socioecological framework, we pilot-tested a 12-week peer-facilitated PA intervention delivered in MMT. The Peer-PA intervention included 1) weekly PA discussion groups led by trained MMT clients, 2) peer-led walking groups, and 3) a Fitbit activity tracker to facilitate self-monitoring of PA. 

Method: N=81 patients with low PA enrolled in MMT (60.5% female; mean age=41.2 years) were randomized (2:2:1) to: 1) Peer-PA+Fitbit, 2) Fitbit Only, or 3) Usual Care. Sixty-two percent participated in this study before COVID (i.e., in person), while 38% participated virtually during COVID. Compliance with study procedures and intervention sessions was examined across conditions. Groups were compared on minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps/day at end-of-treatment (EOT), controlling for baseline PA. 
Results: Across all groups, baseline levels of MVPA (F(1,62)=5.49; p=.02) and steps (F(1,62)=7.69; p=.007) were significantly lower during COVID, relative to pre-COVID. Fitbit Only and Peer PA mean Fitbit wear time was approximately 80% of days. Among participants in the Peer PA condition, participants attended 6.4 (SD=4.7) sessions before COVID (i.e., in person) and 4.1 (SD=3.8) sessions after COVID (i.e., virtual). No significant differences were observed across conditions on accelerometry-derived steps/day or MVPA at EOT, controlling for baseline PA. Moderate-sized effects were observed for lower MVPA and steps among participants in virtually-delivered PeerPA relative to the other two conditions (partial eta2=.09).

Conclusions: Compliance to study procedures was generally good, demonstrating the feasibility of conducting PA interventions in the context of MMT. While no differences in physical activity engagement were observed for participants engaged in an in-person peer-facilitated PA intervention relative to Fitbit Only and Usual Care conditions, delivering the PeerPA intervention virtually resulted in lower levels of PA at EOT. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to help determine whether virtual interventions for PA in this population are ineffective.