Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (Mar 2024)

Adapting Cognitive Remediation Group Therapy Online: Focus Groups with People Aging with HIV

  • Andrew D. Eaton PhD, MSW,
  • Jenny Hui MEd,
  • Marvelous Muchenje MSW,
  • Taylor Kon BSW,
  • Kate Murzin MPH,
  • Soo Chan Carusone PhD,
  • Nuelle Novik PhD,
  • Adria Quigley PhD,
  • Kristina Kokorelias PhD,
  • Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23259582241242703
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23

Abstract

Read online

Cognitive health is a significant concern for people aging with HIV/AIDS. Psychosocial group therapies may help people aging with HIV who experience cognitive challenges cope with their symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed in-person group therapies need adaptation for technology-mediated delivery. Peer-led focus groups discussed adapting cognitive remediation group therapy (CRGT) as an online intervention. CRGT combines mindfulness-based stress reduction and brain training activities. Purposive sampling recruited people aging with HIV (40+) who self-identified cognitive concerns and resided in one of two Canadian provinces. Thematic content analysis was employed on transcripts by seven independent coders. Ten, 2-hour focus groups were conducted between August and November 2022. Participants (n=45) responded favorably to CRGT's modalities. Alongside support for its continued implementation in-person, participants requested online synchronous and online asynchronous formats. Preferred intervention facilitators were peers and mental health professionals. We also discuss how to adapt psychosocial HIV therapies for technology-mediated delivery.