title: Enhancing physical function in HIV-infected older adults: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: HIV-infected older adults (HOA) are at risk of functional decline. Interventions promoting physical activity that can attenuate functional decline and are easily translated into the HOA community are of high priority. We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate whether a physical activity counseling intervention based on self-determination theory (SDT) improves physical function, autonomous motivation, depression and the quality of life (QOL) in HOA.
  
  
  
  In total, 67 community-dwelling HOA with mild-to-moderate functional limitations were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: a physical activity counseling group or the usual care control group. We used SDT to guide the development of the experimental intervention. Outcome measures that were collected at baseline and final study visits included a battery of physical function tests, levels of physical activity, autonomous motivation, depression, and QOL.
  
  
  
  The study participants were similar in their demographic and clinical characteristics in both the treatment and control groups. Overall physical performance, gait speed, measures of endurance and strength, and levels of physical activity improved in the treatment group compared to the control group (p < .05). Measures of autonomous regulation such as identified regulation, and measures of depression and QOL improved significantly in the treatment group compared with the control group (p < .05). Across the groups, improvement in intrinsic regulation and QOL correlated with an improvement in physical function (p < .05).
  
  
  
  Our findings suggest that a physical activity counseling program grounded in SDT can improve physical function, autonomous motivation, depression, and QOL in HOA with functional limitations. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors: Division of Geriatrics and Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester.
authors: Krupa N
authors: KN
authors: Shah
authors: Division of Geriatrics and Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester.
authors: Zahraa
authors: Z
authors: Majeed
authors: Division of Geriatrics and Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester.
authors: Yilmaz B
authors: YB
authors: Yoruk
authors: Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester.
authors: Hongmei
authors: H
authors: Yang
authors: Physical Therapy Division, Duke University.
authors: Tiffany N
authors: TN
authors: Hilton
authors: School of Nursing, University of Rochester.
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: McMahon
authors: Division of Geriatrics and Aging, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester.
authors: William J
authors: WJ
authors: Hall
authors: Warner School of Education.
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: Walck
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester.
authors: Amneris E
authors: AE
authors: Luque
authors: Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University.
authors: Richard M
authors: RM
authors: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011788:Quality of Life