title: Effects of spiritual mantram repetition on HIV outcomes: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: We examined the efficacy of a psycho-spiritual intervention of mantram repetition--a word or phrase with spiritual associations repeated silently throughout the day--on psychological distress (intrusive thoughts, stress, anxiety, anger, depression), quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction, and existential spiritual well-being in HIV-infected adults. Using a 2-group by 4-time repeated measures design, 93 participants were randomly assigned to mantram (n = 46) or attention control group (n = 47). Over time, the mantram group improved significantly more than the control group in reducing trait-anger and increasing spiritual faith and spiritual connectedness. Actual mantram practice measured by wrist counters was inversely associated with non-HIV related intrusive thoughts and positively associated with quality of life, total existential spiritual well-being, meaning/peace, and spiritual faith. Intent-to-treat findings suggest that a mantram group intervention and actual mantram practice each make unique contributions for managing psychological distress and enhancing existential spiritual well-being in adults living with HIV/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive (118), San Diego, CA 92161, USA. jill.bormann@va.gov
authors.forename: Jill E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bormann
authors.forename: Allen L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Gifford
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shively
authors.forename: Tom L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Redwine
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gershwin
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bone
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Belding
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral