Mindfulness instruction for medication adherence among adolescents and young adults living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial.
Erica Sibinga, Lindsey Webb, Jamie Perin, Vicki Tepper, Deanna Kerrigan, Suzanne M. Grieb, Julie Denison, Jonathan M. Ellen
AIDS Care December 2022 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2105796 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 74 |
| Population | Adolescents and young adults (AYA) 13-24 years old living with HIV (AYALH) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) general health education (HT) |
| Duration | Nine sessions; data collected at baseline, post-program (3 months), 6 and 12 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescents Hiv Adherence Youth |
| Key findings | Post-program, MBSR participants had greater increases in medication adherence (p = 0.001) and decreased HIV viral load (p = 0.052) compared with health education. MBSR participants showed decreased mindfulness at follow-up. The authors suggest MBSR may play a role in improving HIV medication adherence and decreasing HIV viral load in this population. |
Abstract
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) 13-24 years old make up a disproportionate 21% of new HIV diagnoses. Unfortunately, they are less likely to treat HIV effectively, with only 30% achieving viral suppression, limiting efforts to interrupt HIV transmission. Previous work with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has shown promise for improving treatment in AYA living with HIV (AYALH). This randomized controlled trial compared MBSR with general health education (HT). Seventy-four 13-24-year-old AYALH conducted baseline data collection and were randomized to nine sessions of MBSR or HT. Data were collected at baseline, post-program (3 months), 6 and 12 months on mindfulness and HIV management [medication adherence (MA), HIV viral load (HIV VL), and CD4]. Longitudinal analyses were conducted. The MBSR arm reported higher mindfulness at baseline. Participants were average 20.5 years old, 92% non-Hispanic Black, 51% male, 46% female, and 3% transgender. Post-program, MBSR participants had greater increases than HT in MA (p = 0.001) and decreased HIV VL (p = 0.052). MBSR participants showed decreased mindfulness at follow-up. Given the significant challenges related to HIV treatment in AYALH, these findings suggest that MBSR may play a role in improving HIV MA and decreasing HIV VL. Additional research is merited to investigate MBSR further for this important population.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Longitudinal analysis of the role of mindfulness on HIV stigma, depression, substance use and HIV outcomes among female sex workers living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. AIDS Care 2025
- A Network Meta-Analysis About Effectiveness of Mind-Body Therapies in Pediatric Palliative Care Pain Management Nursing July 1, 2026
- 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. European Journal of Psychotraumatology January 19, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Youth and Students Using Mindfulness to Promote Mental Health in Schools December 2, 2025
- Live Video MBSR is a Feasible and Acceptable Adjunctive Therapy for Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 9
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Measuring mindfulness Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- School-Based Mindfulness Instruction: An RCT Pediatrics December 19, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Urban Youth The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 25, 2011
- Mindfulness instruction for HIV-infected youth: a randomized controlled trial AIDS Care October 25, 2017
and 4 more in the library