Curb, Alter, Lower, or Manage Stress in HIV: CALMS-HIV

It is well documented that living with HIV/AIDS can cause a great amount of stress, and evidence suggests that stress may hasten HIV disease progression by increasing viral replication and suppressing the immune response. Stress management intervention studies using more complex combinations of cognitive and relaxation therapies have shown improvements in both psychological and physiological measures in HIV infected persons. However, no studies have focused on only one intervention or have addressed the spiritual component using a comparable control group to determine which of these interventions is most effective.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a spiritually-based cognitive intervention to an educational control group. The intervention will be given over a 10-week period, with 5 weekly classes, 4 weekly automated phone calls, and one final class meeting. Assessments will be conducted at pre-intervention, fifth class midpoint, tenth week post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Time commitment can vary from 6 months to 9 months, depending on when participants are screened.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV infected for at least 6 months
• Ability to read and write English

Exclusion criteria

• Drug use within the past 6 months
• Cognitive impairment or dementia
• Diagnosis that may affect cortisol levels, such as diabetes, cancer, or asthma
• Loss of family/loved one in past 3 months
• Started a relaxation therapy in past 3 months
• History or current practice of the RISE program, rosary, chanting, or Transcendental Meditation (TM)
• Acute infection in past month
• Change of HAART or drug regimen in past month