The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program in Iranian HIV/AIDS Patients: A Pilot Study

Psychological or behavioral interventions that attenuate the effects of stress may be useful in promoting immunocompetence and delaying hiv disease progression and cd4 count level. mindfulness- based stress reduction (mbsr) is a behavioral intervention that has as its foundation the practice of insight- oriented (or mindfulness) meditation. in this study, we examined the effects of mbsr upon psychological, physical status and cd4 count of hiv/aids infected patients registered at the positive club of imam kho- meini hospital in 2007. using a pilot study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a psychological intervention (8- week) that was based on training in mindfulness at the positive club of imam khomeini hospital in 2007. eight 2-hour sessions weekly and a day-long retreat were planned for a group of 10 participants with hiv. we investigated the long-term effects of this approach on psychological and physical status of patients by scl-90-r and mscl questionnaires and cd4 count after mbsr and in 3, 6, 9 and 12-month follow-ups. we studied six hiv positive patients. the mean age was 35 ±7.7 yrs. there was no significant difference in mscl scores after mbsr and in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months compared to those before mbsr (p>0.05). there was a significant difference in scl-90-r score after mbsr compared with before (p=0.05). nevertheless, in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months no significant differences were seen in scl-90-r scores relative to those before mbsr (p>0.05). the means of cd4 count, before and after mbsr, and in 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 549± 173.6, 640.2±189.4, 655.3±183.4, 638±167.4, 619.3±163.2, and 595.2±165.6, respectively. there was a significant difference in cd4 counts in comparison with those before mbsr (p<0.05). in our study, mbsr had positive effects on psychological status and cd4 count. however, more studies with large sample size are necessary.