title: A behavioral medicine intervention in persons with HIV.
abstract: This study used a pretest-posttest preexperimental design to examine the effect of a 10-week behavioral medicine support group intervention in a sample of persons with HIV. Using Solomon's psychoneuroimmunologic framework, the 10-week behavioral medicine program focused on the mind/body interaction, the relaxation response, coping with illness, hardiness, and nutrition. Pearson correlation coefficients and t tests were performed on the pre- and postintervention measures of hardiness, social support, immune function, and perceived health status. Results of the study indicated that hardiness (preintervention) and CD4 counts (pre- and postintervention) were significantly correlated with health status; however, CD4 counts decreased over the course of the behavioral medicine program. Implications for nursing and recommendations for further research are discussed.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011598:Psychoneuroimmunology; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires