Evaluation of a Newly Developed Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group to Promote Healthy Aging Among Older People with HIV: Study Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Jacklyn D Foley,1,2 Lauren B Bernier,1,3 Stephanie Schiavo,4 Madison J Davis,1 Abigail W Batchelder1,2,5 1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 2Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 3Department of Psychological and Brain Studies, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; 4Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; 5Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USACorrespondence: Jacklyn D Foley, Email [email protected]: In the era of expanded access to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), the life expectancy of the estimated 1.2 million people with HIV (PWH) in the United States has significantly increased. There is a timely need to develop and evaluate interventions for older PWH to improve their health and functioning. The primary objective of the present work was to describe the pilot trial methodology that aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for HIV and Symptom Management – “CHAMP” designed to promote healthy aging by way of decreasing psychological distress, health risk behaviors, and inflammation among older PWH. Ultimately, these data will be used to refine the intervention and study methods, and inform a future efficacy trial.Keywords: aging, HIV, cognitive behavioral therapy, clinical trials methodology

Keywords

• aging
• hiv
• cognitive behavioral therpay
• clincal trials methodology