NCT00067704

Brief Summary

The specific objective of this study are to examine whether or not a treatment aimed at emotional disclosure may have beneficial psychological, health and immune effects for HIV infected individuals. The goal of the current study is to test the efficacy of emotional disclosure through writing in patients with HIV infection. We will compare emotional disclosure through writing about traumatic experiences (experimental intervention) to a control intervention (writing about emotionally neutral topics). \[Note that HIV RNA viral load, CD4 T cells, urinary cortisol, health related dysfunction, psychological distress, and medication adherence are the 6 primary outcome variables.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
283

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable hiv-infections

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2004

Longer than P75 for not_applicable hiv-infections

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 25, 2003

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 27, 2003

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2004

Completed
8.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2012

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2012

Completed
Last Updated

October 14, 2015

Status Verified

October 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

8.8 years

First QC Date

August 25, 2003

Last Update Submit

October 9, 2015

Conditions

Keywords

Complementary Therapies

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Decrease in psychological distress

    1 year

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Increase in CD4 T-lymphocytes

    1 year

  • Decrease in the number of HIV symptoms

    1 year

Study Arms (2)

Trauma writing

EXPERIMENTAL

Four sessions of writing about traumatic experiences.

Behavioral: Trauma writing

Writing about daily events

SHAM COMPARATOR

Four sessions of writing about their daily experiences.

Behavioral: Writing about daily events

Interventions

Trauma writingBEHAVIORAL
Trauma writing
Writing about daily events

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 65 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • years of age inclusive
  • At least 8 years of formal education
  • Literate
  • Fluent in English
  • All of the following three must apply:
  • No active Category C HIV AIDS-defining symptoms
  • CD4 T-lymphocyte count between 150-499
  • Viral load \>1000

You may not qualify if:

  • Less than 8 years formal education
  • Illiterate or non-English speaking
  • Active systemic diseases that would interfere with participation
  • Current alcohol or substance dependence
  • Planned change in HIV medication in the next 6 months, or recent change in past 2 months
  • Introduction of antidepressant medication within 30 days of study start
  • Current psychological counseling, cognitive behavior therapy, support group or other psychological therapy, or plans to start any of the above
  • Diagnosis of PTSD or major depression
  • Unable to attend at least 4 treatment sessions

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Miami Dept. of Psychology & Behavioral Medicine

Coral Gables, Florida, 33124-2070, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

HIV Infections

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Blood-Borne InfectionsCommunicable DiseasesInfectionsSexually Transmitted Diseases, ViralSexually Transmitted DiseasesLentivirus InfectionsRetroviridae InfectionsRNA Virus InfectionsVirus DiseasesGenital DiseasesUrogenital DiseasesImmunologic Deficiency SyndromesImmune System Diseases

Study Officials

  • Gail Ironson, MD

    University of Miami Dept. of Psychology & Behavioral Medicine

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 25, 2003

First Posted

August 27, 2003

Study Start

February 1, 2004

Primary Completion

November 1, 2012

Study Completion

November 1, 2012

Last Updated

October 14, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-10

Locations