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iDEA: DREXEL LIBRARIES E-REPOSITORY AND ARCHIVES

iDEA: DREXEL LIBRARIES E-REPOSITORY AND ARCHIVES

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Acceptance-based intervention to promote HIV medication adherence

Details
Title
Acceptance-based intervention to promote HIV medication adherence
Author(s)
Moitra, Ethan
Advisor(s)
Herbert, James D.
Keywords
Clinical Psychology; HIV infections -- Treatment; Antiretroviral agents
Date
2009-05
Publisher
Drexel University
Thesis
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology -- Drexel University, 2009
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a global health concern. Although effective pharmacological treatments, such as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been developed and implemented, a significant number of adults with HIV in the U.S. do not maintain adherence at adequate levels for treatment to work. The data suggest HIV medications should be taken 90% of the time or more, though typically Americans with HIV take their medications 60% to 70% of the time. Although some promising results have been shown using traditional cognitive-behavior therapies, an acceptance-based approach to HAART adherence may be preferable in this population because of the significant role played by denial. We compared treatment-as-usual to treatment-as-usual plus an acceptance-based intervention for increasing HAART adherence in a predominantly minority, low socio-economic status sample of 31 uninsured adults in a large metropolitan community primary care clinic. Results revealed no differences in the interventions on self-rated measures of adherence. However, patients in the acceptance-based group showed greater improvements in CD4 level gains over time relative to those who received treatment-as-usual. Secondary analyses revealed that baseline anxiety and baseline mindful acceptance predicted adherence at follow-up. These data suggest that acceptance-based strategies are promising tools for increasing adherence to HAART among HIV-positive persons. Future studies with larger samples are needed to expand upon these results, including adapting the intervention to an individual treatment format.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1860/3035
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