Psychotherapeutic process of cognitive-behavioral intervention in HIV-infected persons: results from a controlled, randomized prospective clinical trial.
The aim of this exploratory study was to examine the possible mechanisms of behavioral change in a cognitive-behavioral intervention supporting medication adherence in HIV-infected persons. A total of 60 persons currently under medical treatment were randomized to psychotherapy or usual care and were compared with a sociodemographically matched group of general psychotherapy clients. Outcome measures included therapy adherence using medication event-monitoring system psychotherapeutic processes and changes of experience and behavior. The general psychotherapy group was initially more distressed than HIV psychotherapy patients and reached higher levels of psychotherapeutic effect. In the HIV psychotherapy patients, a significant effect was found for maintaining adherence to medical treatment (Weber et al., 2004). These findings show that psychotherapy is a beneficial intervention for HIV-infected persons, and therapeutic alliance and activation of resources do not differ from a general psychotherapy treatment. Differential effects were detected for specific process variables, namely problem actuation.
Department of Psychology, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. hansjoerg.znoj@psy.unibe.ch
Hans-Jörg
HJ
Znoj
Nadine
N
Messerli-Burgy
Simone
S
Tschopp
Rainer
R
Weber
Lisanne
L
Christen
Stephan
S
Christen
Klaus
K
Grawe
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000998:Antiviral Agents