| Bastyr University » Research » Research Institute | March 19, 2010 |
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ASSOCIATIONS OF MIND-BODY INTERVENTIONS WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN HIV-1 POSITIVE INDIVIDUALSLeanna Standish PhD, ND, MS, LAc, Annette Fitzpatrick Ph.D., Jose Berger MF, Fiona Sanders MBA, Babette Brumback Ph.D., Carlo Calabrese ND MPH. Purpose: To examine the association between mind-body interventions and quality of life (QOL) measures among HIV-1 positive participants of the Alternative Medical Care Outcomes in AIDS (AMCOA) study. Methods: 1036 study participants completed a biannual 27-page questionnaire through the mail, which included the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV). Additional clinical data were obtained by laboratory values generated in the course of ordinary care. Associations between mind-body interventions (individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, support groups, meditation, prayer, spiritual activities and affirmations) and MOS-HIV at one-year of follow-up were examined via unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses. Adjusted analyses attempted to control for confounding due to baseline CD4 count, use of anti-retroviral therapy, MOS-HIV scores at baseline, duration of HIV infection, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, age, gender, race, and education. Use of the therapies in the six months prior to both of the surveys was evaluated. Results: The adjusted models did not show significant associations between mind-body interventions and sub-scales for general health, physical functioning and social functioning. Individual psychotherapy was associated with a decrease in all the sub-scales, yet the decrease was significant only in mental health scores (p<0.05). Conversely, meditation, prayer and spiritual activities showed increases in all the sub-scales yet the increases were only significant in mental health scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: The data suggest that an association between improved mental health scores and meditation, prayer and spiritual activities may exist. Negative associations, although generally not significant, should be viewed cautiously since confounding by indication or by factors not measured in this study may influence these parameters. Corresponding Author: 
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