Mindfulness-based stress reduction for HIV treatment side effects: a randomized, wait-list controlled trial.
Larissa G Duncan, Judith Tedlie Moskowitz, Torsten B Neilands, Samantha E Dilworth, Frederick M Hecht, Mallory O. Johnson
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management September 17, 2011 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2011.04.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 76 |
| Population | People living with HIV who were actively taking antiretroviral therapy and reported distress from ART-related side effects |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Three-month and six-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Hiv infections Anti-retroviral agents Treatment outcome Prevalence Stress, psychological Comorbidity Middle aged Waiting lists California Female |
| Key findings | Compared with a wait-list control, MBSR reduced the frequency of symptoms attributable to antiretroviral therapy at three months (mean difference 0.33) and six months (mean difference 0.38), and reduced distress associated with those symptoms at three months (mean difference 0.47). The authors conclude that MBSR is a promising approach for reducing HIV treatment-related side effects. |
Abstract
Context: Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV offer life-extending benefit; however, the side effects associated with ART use negatively impact quality of life and medication adherence among people living with HIV.
Objectives: This study tested the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for reducing ART symptoms and bother/distress related to ART side effects. Secondary aims were to test the impact of MBSR on medication adherence and psychological functioning.
Methods: Seventy-six people living with HIV who were actively taking ART and reported distress from ART-related side effects were randomly assigned to an MBSR program or a wait-list control (WLC) standard care condition. We measured side effects, ART adherence, perceived stress, depression, positive and negative affect, and mindfulness at three time points: baseline, three-month follow-up, and six-month follow-up. Side effects and related distress were assessed separately from other symptoms.
Results: Compared with a WLC, participants in the MBSR condition experienced a reduction in the frequency of symptoms attributable to ARTs at three months post-intervention (mean difference=0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.01, 0.66; t(132)=2.04, P=0.044) and six months post-intervention (mean difference=0.38; 95% CI=0.05, 0.71; t(132)=2.27, P=0.025). MBSR participants also experienced a reduction in distress associated with those symptoms at three months post-intervention (mean difference=0.47; 95% CI=0.003, 0.94; t(132)=1.99, P=0.048) compared with the WLC condition.
Conclusion: MBSR is a promising approach for reducing HIV treatment-related side effects.
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 24
- Meta-analytic evidence for effects of mindfulness training on dimensions of self-reported dispositional mindfulness. Psychological Assessment 2016
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Physical Conditions: A Narrative Review Evaluating Levels of Evidence ISRN Psychiatry November 14, 2012
- Mindfulness instruction for HIV-infected youth: a randomized controlled trial AIDS Care October 25, 2017
- Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Patients With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain Management Nursing March 12, 2025
and 19 more in the library
Cites 10
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- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine 2002
- Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study ☆ Pain June 4, 2007
- Effects of Low-Dose Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR-ld) on Working Adults Health Education & Behavior May 9, 2008
and 5 more in the library