Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Jul 25;23(1):539.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-05013-2.

Brief cognitive behavior therapy for stigmatization, depression, quality of life, social support and adherence to treatment among patients with HIV/AIDS: a randomized control trial

Qasir Abbas  1 , Mehru Nisa  2 , Muhammad Umar Khan  2 , Nida Anwar  3 , Sumayah Aljhani  4 , Zoobia Ramzan  3 , Mafia Shahzadi  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief cognitive behavior therapy for stigmatization, depression, quality of life, social support and adherence to treatment among patients with HIV/AIDS: a randomized control trial

Qasir Abbas et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Objective: Individuals living with HIV/AIDs are at a high risk of many problems like depression, stigma, quality of life, decreased adherence to treatment, and lack of social support. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of brief-cognitive behavior therapy (B-CBT) on reducing depression and stigma and improving treatment adherence, quality of life, and social support among patients with HIV/AIDS attending antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at ART Clinic in the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital Shahkot Nankana Sahib from July 2021 to October 2021. After baseline screening, 126 patients met the eligibility criteria and 63 were allocated to the experimental group (EXPg = 63) and 63 to waitlist-control group (WLCg = 63). Participants' age range was from 20 to 55 years. Participants who were taking ART treatment were enrolled for the CBT treatment. Before this, all the participants completed a baseline assessment to ensure a level of severity and diagnosis. A total of eight CBT based therapeutic sessions were conducted individually with EXPg. To assess the outcomes among patients receiving ART, we used Demographic form, Patient health questionnaire, HIV stigma scale, General medication adherence scale, Multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and WHOQOL BREF scale.

Results: Findings suggest that B-CBT significantly reduced the level of depression (i.e. F (1, 78) = 101.38, p < .000, η2 = .599), and social stigma (i.e. F (1, 78) = 208.47, p < .000, η2 = .787) among patients with HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, CBT substantially improved the level of adherence to treatment (i.e. F(1,78) = 24.75, p < .000, η2 = .503), social support (i.e. F (1, 78) = 128.33, p < .000, η2 = .606), and quality of life (i.e. F (1, 78) = 373.39, p < .000, η2 = .837) among patients with HIV/AIDS. Significant mean difference M(SD) on PHQ at post-analysis in the EXPg vs. WLCg was seen 1.22(0.47) vs. 2.30(0.68) and similarly, on MPSS at a post-analysis in the EXPg vs. WLCg 2.85(0.36) vs. 1.70(0.51) which indicates sound therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions: Cognitive behavioral therapy effectively decreases the level of depression and stigma and enhances the level of social support, quality of life, and adherence to treatment among HIV/AIDS patients. It is concluded that cognitive behavior therapy is an effective treatment approach for patients with HIV/AIDS.

Trial registration: Thai clinical trial registry (i.e. TCTR = TCTR20210702002 ).

Keywords: Cognitive behavior therapy; Depression; Patients with HIV/AIDS; Quality of life; Social support; Stigmatization; Treatment adherence.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart diagram of patients with HIV/AIDs
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Score difference of pre and post-test analysis on PHQ between EXPg vs. WLCg
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Score difference of pre and post-test analysis on GMAS between EXPg vs. WLCg
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Brandt C, Zvolensky MJ, Woods SP, Gonzalez A, Safren SA, O’Cleirigh CM. Anxiety symptoms and disorders among adults living with HIV and AIDS: a critical review and integrative synthesis of the empirical literature. Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;51:164–184. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2016.11.005. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Shidiq KM, Nelwan EJ, Yunihastuti E, Harimurti K, Pohan HT. Clinical Evaluation of HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy using HIV symptoms index: a reliability and applicability evaluation using Indonesian language. Acta Medica Indones. 2021;53:52–59. - PubMed
    1. Yin L, Wang N, Vermund SH, Shepherd BE, Ruan Y, Shao Y, et al. Sexual risk reduction for hiv-infected persons: a meta-analytic review of “positive prevention” randomized clinical trials. PLoS ONE. 2014;9:e107652. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107652. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Nikooseresht Z, Rimaz S, Asadi-Lari M, Nedjat S, Merghati-Khoee E, Saiepour N. Reliability and validity of the Iranian version of the human immunodeficiency virus specific World Health Organization quality of life BREF questionnaire. J Biostat Epidemiol. 2015;1:37–44.
    1. Rendina HJ, Gamarel KE, Pachankis JE, Ventuneac A, Grov C, Parsons JT. Extending the minority stress model to incorporate hiv-positive gay and bisexual men’s experiences: a longitudinal examination of mental health and sexual risk behavior. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51:147–158. doi: 10.1007/s12160-016-9822-8. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

Associated data