Act Healthy: A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating a Behavioral Activation Intervention to Address Substance Use and Medication Adherence Among Low-Income, Black/African American Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

There is a need for parsimonious behavioral interventions to support HIV and substance use treatment outcomes for low-income, Black/African American individuals living with HIV. This randomized clinical trial (N = 61) evaluated Act Healthy (AH), an integrated behavioral intervention to reduce substance use and improve medication adherence, compared to supportive counseling (SC) plus Life-Steps medication adherence counseling on substance use, craving, adherence-related outcomes, and depression over one year. Participants in AH had significantly steeper decreases in cravings compared to SC, but no significant differences in substance use. Across both groups, there was a significant increase in probability of being on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (86% on ART at 12 months vs. 56% at baseline), and a significant decrease in medication nonadherence. Findings provide preliminary support for an intervention to reduce cravings and strategies to improve ART use in a hard-to-reach, vulnerable population at high risk for poor treatment outcomes and ongoing HIV transmission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration number: identifier: NCT01351454. Retrospectively registered on May 10, 2011.

Keywords: Behavioral intervention; HIV/AIDS; Health disparities; Minority health; Substance use disorder.

Fig. 1

Consort diagram

Fig. 2

Time by treatment condition interaction of substance use craving

Fig. 3

Percentage of sample who self-report being on ART over time