Study Protocol: The influence of Running Therapy on executive functions and sleep of prisoners

Jesse Meijers; Joke Harte; Gerben Meynen; Pim Cuijpers

doi:10.12688/f1000research.6469.1

Study Protocol: The influence of Running Therapy on executive functions and sleep of prisoners

F1000Res. 2015 Jun 15:4:152. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.6469.1. eCollection 2015.

Authors

Jesse Meijers¹, Joke Harte², Gerben Meynen³, Pim Cuijpers⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081BT, Netherlands.
² Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081HV, Netherlands ; Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, 1081HV, Netherlands.
³ Faculty of Philosophy, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081HV, Netherlands ; Tilburg Law School, Tilburg University, Tilburg, 5037DE, Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081BT, Netherlands ; EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University and VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081BT, Netherlands ; Leuphana University, Lüneburg, D-21335, Germany.

Abstract

Background: Executive dysfunction appears to be related to increased recidivism. Of note is that sleep disturbances, which are highly prevalent in prisons, may attenuate executive functions. Thus, improving executive functions, either directly or indirectly through the improvement of sleep, may reduce recidivism. It is hypothesised that physical exercise, in the form of Running Therapy, has a direct positive effect on executive functions as well as an indirect effect through the improvement of sleep.

Methods/design: Seventy two (N = 72) detainees in various penitentiary institutions in the Netherlands will be recruited in this study. A baseline measurement, including six neuropsychological tests of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), an assessment of sleep quality and duration using the Actiwatch (Actiwatch 2, Philips Respironics, Murrysville, PA, USA) and various other measurements will be administered before the start of the treatment. After 3 months of Running Therapy, participants will be assessed again with the same tests for neuropsychological and physical functioning. Primary outcomes are executive functioning and various sleep variables.

Discussion: This study will be the first to investigate the possible influence of Running Therapy on the cognitive functioning, sleep and aggression in prisoners.

Keywords: Actiwatch; CANTAB; executive functions; offenders; physical activity; prison; running therapy; sleep.

Grants and funding

This work is supported by a grant of the Phoolan Devi Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute that funds criminological-related research. This work is also supported by a grant of the Arnold Oosterbaan Hersenstichting, a fund for neuropsychological research. Stichting Koningsheide funded the CANTAB, for this study specifically. These three grants were assigned to the first author. Lastly, GGZ Drenthe provided funding for the Actiwatches that are used in this study.