The efficacy and mechanism of an integrated mindfulness-based programme on posttraumatic stress disorder among people with HIV: a randomized controlled trial with 3-month follow up.
Chulei Tang, Ting Zhao, Simin Yu, Yanfei Jin, Honghong Wang
European Journal of Psychotraumatology January 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2602298 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 82 |
| Population | People with HIV and PTSD |
| Intervention | Integrated Mindfulness-Based Programme (IMBP) |
| Duration | 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Hiv/aids Posttraumatic stress disorder Vih/sida Community resiliency model Mindfulness-based stress reduction Randomized controlled trial |
| Key findings | The integrated mindfulness-based programme reduced PTSD symptoms and improved ART adherence in people with HIV, with effects sustained at three months. |
Abstract
Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) and is associated with poor psychological functioning and reduced adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), threatening treatment outcomes. Although the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have separately demonstrated efficacy for PTSD, no intervention integrating these approaches has been specifically developed for PWH.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of an Integrated Mindfulness-Based Programme (IMBP), combining CRM and MBSR, in reducing PTSD symptoms and enhancing ART adherence among PWH.Methods: Eighty-two PWH with PTSD were assigned to either the IMBP intervention group or the control group. PTSD symptoms and ART adherence were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Mindfulness, rumination, and resilience were evaluated as potential mediators. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) and mediation modelling.Results: Compared with the control group, participants receiving IMBP demonstrated significantly greater reductions in PTSD symptoms and improvements in ART adherence, both immediately post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up (all p < .01). Mediation analysis revealed that increased mindfulness, enhanced resilience, and decreased rumination partially mediated the effect of the intervention on PTSD symptoms.Conclusion: The IMBP intervention was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms as well as improving ART adherence in PWH. The mediating roles of mindfulness, resilience, and rumination suggest plausible mechanisms through which the intervention operates. These findings support the clinical utility of IMBP as a low-resource intervention for addressing the dual challenges of trauma and treatment adherence in vulnerable HIV-positive populations.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 9
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- Mindfulness-Based Intervention effect on the psychophysiological marker of self-regulation in women with endometriosis-related chronic pain. Journal of Pain July 1, 2023
and 4 more in the library