Positive Health Online

Abstract

ANTONI and colleagues, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124 USA. mantoni@umiami.ir.miami.edu studied the effects of a multimodal cognitive-behavioural stress management (CBSM) intervention upon mood, stress, and immune parameters in symptomatic HIV+ gay men.

Background

Methodology

The authors recruited 73 men to this study, who were randomized to either a group-based CBSM intervention (n = 47) or to a waiting list control (WLC) group (n = 26). Outcome measures included anxious mood, perceived stress, 24-hour urinary catecholamine levels and changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations over time.

Results

Compared with the waiting list controls, men in the CBSM group showed significantly lower posttreatment levels of self-reported anxiety, anger, total mood disturbance and perceived stress and less norephinephrine (NE) output. At the individual level anxiety decreases paralleled NE reductions. There were significantly greater numbers of T-cytotoxic/suppressor (CD3+CD8+) lymphocytes found 6-12 months later in the CBSM group. Additionally, greater decreases in NE output and a greater frequency of relaxation home practice during the 10-week CBSM intervention predicted higher CD3+CD8+ cell counts at follow-up.

Conclusion

References

Antoni MH et al. Cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention effects on anxiety, 24-hr urinary norephinephrine output, and T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells over time among symptomatic HIV-infected gay men. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 68(1): 31-45. Feb 2000.

Comment

A highly significant result, which hopefully can be integrated into clinical practice for HIV+ gay men.