Mindfulness instruction for medication adherence among adolescents and young adults living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
8-1-2022
Journal
AIDS care
DOI
10.1080/09540121.2022.2105796
Keywords
Adolescents; HIV; MBSR; adherence; mindfulness; youth
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 ( = 0.001) and decreased HIV VL ( = 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.
APA Citation
Sibinga, Erica M.; Webb, Lindsey; Perin, Jamie; Tepper, Vicki; Kerrigan, Deanna; Grieb, Suzanne; Denison, Julie; and Ellen, Jonathan, "Mindfulness instruction for medication adherence among adolescents and young adults living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1533.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1533
Department
Prevention and Community Health