Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy for HIV/AIDS

Overseen By Debra Herman, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Brown University

Disqualifiers: Cognitively impaired

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 2 weeks

38 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The overall aim of this program of research is to test a newly developed intervention, Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy (ABBT), to improve HIV patients' commitment to medical care. The purpose of the proposed project is to establish the efficacy of ABBT and examine its mechanisms of action. To achieve the specific aims, the investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial (n = 270), with two treatment arms: ABBT vs. an attention-matched HIV education control condition.

Research Team

Ethan Moitra, PhD

Principal Investigator

Brown University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who have recently been diagnosed with HIV and are starting medical care for it. Participants must speak and read English well enough to follow the study procedures and have access to a telephone. People with cognitive impairments cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

HIV+

Entering HIV medical care services for the first time (that is, not transferring HIV care from another location)

Able to speak and read English at the level to be able to complete the study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

Cognitively impaired

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 2-session Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy (ABBT) intervention, with the first session in-person and the second session by telephone

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person), 1 visit (telephone)

Control

Participants in the control group receive an Enhanced-Treatment-as-Usual (ETAU) condition, including a 2-session HIV education program

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person), 1 visit (telephone)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for retention in care, virologic suppression, ART adherence, and other secondary outcomes

52 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy (ABBT)
• Enhanced-Treatment-as-Usual (ETAU)

Trial Overview The trial is testing Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy (ABBT) against an Enhanced-Treatment-as-Usual (ETAU) control condition, aiming to improve commitment to medical care among new HIV patients. It's a randomized study, meaning participants are randomly assigned to one of the two groups.

Participant Groups

Group I: Acceptance-Based Behavior Therapy (ABBT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The 2-session ABBT will be delivered in person at session 1 and by telephone at session 2.

Group II: Enhanced-Treatment-as-Usual (ETAU) Placebo Group 1 Intervention

In addition to receiving treatment-as-usual at the clinic, ETAU participants will receive a 2-session program of HIV education.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Brown University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

480

Recruited

724,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+