Waitlist-controlled trial of an online intervention to address mental health among older people living with HIV

• Published in: Antiviral therapy Vol. 28; no. 6; p. 13596535231216311
• Main Authors: Berko, Jeff, Mazonson, Peter, Short, Duncan, Karris, Maile, Ehui, Lynsay, Gutner, Cassidy A, Spinelli, Frank, Zolopa, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-12-2023
• Subjects: Aged; Depression - therapy; Female; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; Humans; Internet-Based Intervention; Male; Mental Health; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 2040-2058
• DOI: 10.1177/13596535231216311

Older people living with HIV (PLWH) often experience elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
This waitlist-controlled trial examined the effectiveness of online audio mindfulness lessons in impacting these feelings among older PLWH.
Among 214 participants, the mean (SD) age was 60.4 (5.9) years, 89% were male, and 69% were white. After 25 days, the intervention group showed significant improvements versus the waitlist control group in symptoms of depression (20.3% improvement, 
 < .01) and symptoms of anxiety (22.4% improvement, 
 = .03), but not in loneliness as measured by a Daily Diary (12.9% improvement, 
 = .07) or the 3-Item Loneliness Scale (4.8% improvement, 
 = .27). Secondary analyses among participants with elevated baseline symptoms of depression showed a 26.3% improvement (
 < .01), with a moderate effect size (Hedge's g = 0.69). Similarly, those with elevated baseline symptoms of anxiety showed a 25.6% improvement (
 < .01), a moderate effect size (g = 0.54), while those with moderate or severely elevated loneliness showed an 18.9% improvement in daily loneliness (
 < .01), a moderate effect size (g = 0.55).
This waitlist-controlled trial is the first to show that a series of brief, online audio mindfulness lessons improves mental health outcomes among older PLWH. For many patients, this intervention may offer relief that is both accessible and affordable.