title: Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction delivered to human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients in Iran: effects on CD4⁺ T lymphocyte count and medical and psychological symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the immediate and long-term effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on biological and symptomatological markers of health among human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) patients in Tehran, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a randomized controlled trial design, data from 173 HIV+ patients (CD4 count > 250) not yet receiving antiretroviral therapy, who participated in either an 8-week MBSR (n = 87) or a brief education and support condition (n = 86) at the Imam Khomeini Hospital, were analyzed. Assessments included CD4 count, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R), and Medical Symptom Checklist (MSCL) at baseline, immediate post-treatment, and at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment-adherent sample had a mean (standard deviation) age of 35.1 (6.5) years and 69% were male. Linear mixed-model estimates indicated that, in the MBSR condition, the mean CD4 count increased from baseline up to 9 months after treatment and then returned to baseline level at 12 months. Improvements in mean SCL-90R (up to 6 months) and MSCL (up to 12 months) scores were observed for the MBSR condition, whereas education and support condition scores remained the same over time; however, only MSCL improvements significantly differed between groups and these changes lasted up to the final assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that among treatment-adherent Iranian HIV+ patients not yet receiving antiretroviral drug treatment, MBSR seems to have the strongest potential to improve self-reported medical symptoms.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT201106084076N2.
authors: Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: SeyedAhmad
authors: S
authors: SeyedAlinaghi
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Jam
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Foroughi
authors: AmirHossein
authors: A
authors: Imani
authors: Minoo
authors: M
authors: Mohraz
authors: Gholamreza Esmaeeli
authors: GE
authors: Djavid
authors: David S
authors: DS
authors: Black
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D057566:Self Report; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome