A Program to Foster Motivation for Physical Activity Among Adults in Substance Use Recovery

Brief Name: Motivational intervention WHY: Individuals dealing with substance use disorders (SUDs) might benefit from becoming more physically active and sustaining physical activity (PA) throughout their lives. Nevertheless, the challenge of sustaining motivation for continuous, long-term physical activity is a concern among this population. WHAT: The motivational intervention is based on principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI) for a support group context. The motivational intervention was co-designed to incorporate specific behaviour change techniques (BCTs) that have been found effective in physical activity interventions in SUD contexts and match MI techniques. Short bursts (1-2min) of low to moderate-intensity PA will be included in the group sessions, as well. Low-to-moderate physical activity will not be assessed, but the types of activity engaged in (e.g., stretching, walking around the room and balloon volleyball) will be the equivalent of those likely to be considered light to moderately hard on the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Further, participants will engage in self-monitoring their daily step counts and recording them alongside other daily measures. Men participating in the study will receive a short presentation outlining the study to them and a Fitbit activity monitoring device. WHO AND HOW: All intervention sessions will be delivered face-to-face by a psychologist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology, training in group counselling and MI, and more than two years of experience. Group interventions will take place in groups of 12 men. WHERE: The motivational intervention will be delivered in a treatment facility providing treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) related issues in the greater Perth region in Western Australia. The treatment facility will provide suitable rooms for individual and group sessions. WHEN AND HOW MUCH: The intervention commences after the baseline phase. The structured motivational intervention program consists of 12 60-minute sessions including an initial one-on-one counselling session (intervention phase), 9 subsequent weekly group sessions (intervention phase), and two individual counselling booster sessions 4 weeks apart (maintenance phase). The first individual session will be a pre-group meeting aiming to get to know the participants and to familiarise them with the MI communication style. The group sessions will cover the four phases of MI in group settings, i.e., engaging the group, exploring perspectives, broadening perspectives, moving into action. Group session content covers discussions around the benefits of PA, motivation and goal setting for PA, exploring lifestyle and habits, exploring ambivalence and core values, exploring personal strengths and creating personal change plans. During the individual booster sessions, change plans will be revisited and revised. The first booster session takes place four weeks after the last group session (the maintenance phase starts after the last group session). TAILORING: The intervention is designed in accordance with established principles of MI for group settings, with specific modifications tailored for the purpose of promoting PA maintenance among individuals with SUDs. Participants receive assistance in their efforts to change behaviour, both from the intervention itself and from their fellow participants. Additionally, each participant is provided support by either a personal trainer or an exercise physiologist to develop and adjust personalized plans for behavioural change. During subsequent follow-up sessions, participants receive feedback concerning their unique goals, and adjustments to their change plans are made to better align with individual and situational requirements. HOW WELL: Attendance to the motivational intervention sessions will be recorded by the facilitator.