Skip to content

Mindfulness practices for cardiovascular disease risk reduction among people with HIV: A qualitative study of perceived feasibility and acceptability.

Jacklyn D Foley, Madison Davis, Julia Scheinbach, Kusum Aryal, Abigail W Batchelder, Conall O'Cleirigh, Gloria Y Yeh

Journal of Health Psychology July 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/13591053261467029 (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Qualitative study Peer reviewed
Sample size 23
Population People living with HIV at risk for cardiovascular disease; average age 61 years, 57% cisgender men, 52% Caucasian, 60% with annual income ≤$20,000
Topics Meditation
Keywords Aging Hiv Cardiovascular disease Acceptability
Key findings Participants indicated they could engage in breath and body scan mindfulness practices and suggested mindfulness could help manage psychological distress and support positive health behaviors. Reported barriers included trouble sustaining attention and low motivation for self-led practice, and both positive (relaxation) and negative (focus on pain) effects were noted. The authors conclude mindfulness warrants inclusion and evaluation in CVD risk reduction interventions for people with HIV.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) support health outcomes in people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) but have not been evaluated among people with HIV (PWH) at risk for CVD. This qualitative study assessed perceived feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness among PWH to inform its inclusion in a CVD risk reduction intervention. Four focus group discussions (N = 23) were conducted; facilitator shared mindfulness (breath and body scan) practices and solicited feedback. On average, the sample was 61-years-old (SD = 6.6), cisgender men (57%), Caucasian (52%) with an annual income ⩽$20,000 (60%). From the content analysis, participants indicated they could engage in these or similar mindfulness practices. Potential barriers included trouble sustaining attention, and low motivation for self-led practice. Both positive (relaxation) and negative (focus on pain) practice effects were reported. Participants identified mindfulness could help manage psychological distress and engage in positive health behaviors. Mindfulness practices warrant inclusion and evaluation in CVD risk reduction interventions for PWH.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists Western Buddhist meditation practitioners and experts in Theravāda, Zen, and Tibetan... 2017 Qualitative study with mixed-methods
The Effects of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Nurse Stress and Burnout Nurses in a hospital system 2004 Implementation study with mixed methods
An exploratory mixed methods study of the acceptability and effectiveness of mindfulness -based cognitive therapy for patients with active depression and anxiety in primary care Primary care patients with recurrent depression or recurrent depression and anxiety 2006 Exploratory mixed methods study n = 13
A qualitative study of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for depression Participants in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in a mental-health context 2001 Qualitative study n = 7
Effortless awareness: using real time neurofeedback to investigate correlates of posterior cingulate cortex activity in meditators' self-report Meditators 2013 Qualitative study using grounded theory methodology

Citations in the library

Cites 8

and 3 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Meditation