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Cited by 68Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsHIV/AIDS Research and InterventionsReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Adults Living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Scott-Sheldon, Lori A. J., Balletto, Brittany L., Donahue, Marissa L., Feulner, Melissa M., Cruess, Dean G., Salmoirago-Blotcher, Elena, Wing, Rena R., Carey, Michael P.·2019·AIDS and Behavior
DOI 10.1007/s10461-018-2236-9PMC PMC6344266
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Abstract

This meta-analysis examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on stress, psychological symptoms, and biomarkers of disease among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Comprehensive searches identified 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria (N = 1059; M age = 42 years; 20% women). Participants had been living with HIV for an average of 8 years (range = < 1-20 years); 65% were currently on antiretroviral therapy. Between-group analyses indicated that depressive symptoms were reduced among participants receiving the MBIs compared to controls (d+ = 0.37, 95% CI 0.03, 0.71). Within-group analyses showed reductions in psychological symptoms (i.e., less anxiety, fewer depressive symptoms) and improved quality of life over time among MBI participants (d+s = 0.40-0.85). No significant changes were observed for immunological outcomes (i.e., CD4 counts) between- or within-groups. MBIs may be a promising approach for reducing psychological symptoms and improving quality of life among PLWHA. Studies using stronger designs (i.e., randomized controlled trials) with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups are needed to clarify the potential benefits of MBIs for PLWHA.

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  • Mindfulness has been shown to improve mental health outcomes for a variety of populations, including those facing systemic stigma.

    “Research shows that mindfulness, the process of paying attention with awareness and attentiveness to the immediate experience in a nonjudgmental way,12,13 improves mental health outcomes for a variety of populations, including those facing systemic stigma.14–20”

    From Mindfulness, Mental Health, and Violence Exposure Among Transgender Female Sex Workers Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. (2026) · cites this paper as [15]

    The Discussion (page unavailable) says the meta-analysis found preliminary evidence that mindfulness-based interventions can improve psychological symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS. The Results report reduced depressive symptoms relative to controls, but not overall improvement across psychological outcomes. The paper does not establish the claim across a variety of populations or examine systemic stigma as a condition of the finding. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Overall evidence supports mindfulness training for stress reduction, coping, and health-related quality of life in HIV/AIDS, but average immune and disease severity outcomes do not significantly change.

    “Currently, the total evidence to date supports mindfulness training for reducing stress, enhancing coping, and promoting health-related QoL in patients with HIV/AIDS, however, no significant changes are observed, on average, for immune system outcomes or disease severity [45].”

    From Mindfulness and physical disease: a concise review (2019) · cites this paper as [45]

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Authors
Scott-Sheldon, L. A. J., Balletto, B. L., Donahue, M. L., Feulner, M. M., Cruess, D. G., Salmoirago-Blotcher, E., Wing, R. R., & Carey, M. P.
Affiliations
  • Miriam Hospital (US)
  • University of Connecticut (US)
  • Brown University (US)
ORCID
Venue
AIDS and Behavior
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2018-07-27
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
60-75
ISSN
  • 1090-7165 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-3254
DOI
10.1007/s10461-018-2236-9
PMC
PMC6344266
OpenAlex
W2883726581
Cited by
68
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2
FWCI
1.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • AIDS and Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (R01AT008815)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
mindfulness-based interventions, people living with HIV, depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, psychological symptoms, stress, CD4 count, immunological outcomes, antiretroviral therapy
MeSH terms
Adult, Anxiety, Depression, Humans, Quality of Life, HIV Infections, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Mindfulness

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