Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Symptom Management in Older Individuals with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) could improve psychological outcomes (stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life) and cognitive metrics in older individuals with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).
Results Summary
MBSR significantly improved symptoms of depression at 8 weeks (though not sustained at 16 weeks) and perceived quality of life at 16 weeks compared to the waitlist control. Cognitive performance did not differ between groups.
Population
Adults aged 55+ with HIV and cognitive impairment.
Effective Dosage
8-week MBSR program (specific frequency not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks (with follow-up at 16 weeks).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | decrease | symptoms of depression | Participants 55 years or older with HIV and cognitive impairment | - | significant improvement | #1 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | increase | perceived quality of life (QOL) | Participants 55 years or older with HIV and cognitive impairment | - | improvement | #2 |
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) | no change | cognitive performance | Participants 55 years or older with HIV and cognitive impairment | - | did not differ | #3 |
The growing number of people aging with HIV represents a group vulnerable to the symptom burdens of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Among younger groups, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to help people living with HIV manage HIV-related and other life stress, and although there is some theoretical and empirical evidence that it may be effective among those with cognitive deficits, the approach has not been studied in older populations with HAND. Participants (n = 180) 55 years or older with HIV and cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to either an 8-week MBSR arm or a waitlist control. We assessed the impact of MBSR compared to a waitlist control on psychological outcomes [stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL)] and cognitive metrics (e.g., speed of information processing, working memory, attention, impulsivity) measured at baseline, immediately post intervention (8 weeks) and one month later (16 weeks). Intent to treat analyses showed significant improvement in the MBSR group compared to control on symptoms of depression from baseline to 8 weeks, however, the difference was not sustained at 16 weeks. The MBSR group also showed improvement in perceived QOL from baseline to 16 weeks compared to the waitlist control group. Cognitive performance did not differ between the two treatment arms. MBSR shows promise as a tool to help alleviate the symptom burden of depression and low QOL in older individuals living with HAND and future work should address methods to better sustain the beneficial impact on depression and QOL.