Cognitive-behavioral stress management decreases dysphoric mood and herpes simplex virus-type 2 antibody titers in symptomatic HIV-seropositive gay men.
This study tested the effects of a 10-week group cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention on mood and immunologic parameters in HIV-seropositive gay men whose disease had progressed to a symptomatic stage. Men were randomized to either CBSM or a modified waiting-list control group. The CBSM intervention significantly decreased self-reported dysphoria, anxiety, and total distress. Individuals who practiced relaxation more consistently had significantly greater drops in dysphoria. The intervention also decreased herpes simplex virus-Type 2 (HSV-2) immunoglobulin G antibody titers. The control group showed no significant changes in either mood or antibody titers. Individual difference analyses revealed that decreases in dysphoria significantly predicted lower HSV-2 antibody titers by the end of the 10-week period. Neither group displayed changes in HSV-Type 1 antibody titers or in CD4+ or CD8+ cell numbers.
Lutgendorf
S K
SK
Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124-2070, USA.
Antoni
M H
MH
Ironson
G
G
Klimas
N
N
Kumar
M
M
Starr
K
K
McCabe
P
P
Cleven
K
K
Fletcher
M A
MA
Schneiderman
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral