The BRIgHT Program: Building Resilience in HIV Together

Overview.

This is the second phase of a two-part study. In the first phase (Protocol ID: R34AT009170),
the investigators adapted an existing resiliency intervention, the Relaxation Response
Resiliency Program (3RP), to the needs of women ages 50 and over who are living with HIV. The
investigators conducted preliminary testing of the refined group intervention via an open
pilot study (N=13 enrolled) across two sites, MGH and Boston Medical Center), and conducted
individual exit interviews to solicit feedback on the intervention. Based on these
qualitative data, as well as qualitative work conducted previously with this population, the
goal of this phase of the project is to conduct a small, randomized pilot of the intervention
in groups of up to 10 women with HIV (total N=up to 60) to assess feasibility and
acceptability of all study procedures.

Study Procedures.

Participants will be women living with HIV (N=up to 60) age 50 or over, who are recruited via
flyers and provider referral from Boston area hospitals and health care settings, as well as
community organizations serving individuals living with HIV. Once an individual expresses
interest in the study, they will be screened by a study staff member, either by phone or in
person, in order to assess study eligibility. Eligible and interested individuals will be
invited to sign informed consent and complete an in-person baseline assessment. Participants
will be randomized to either a 10-week intervention group (adapted 3RP intervention) or a
10-week control group (supportive psychotherapy program). Participants will then complete a
post-treatment assessment, an individual in-depth exit interview to provide feedback on their
experience in the study, and a 3-month follow-up assessment. Data from this second phase of
the study will inform the eventual development of a full-scale randomized controlled trial.

Adapted 3RP Intervention.

Once randomized into the intervention condition, participants will complete 10, 90-minute
weekly group sessions of the adapted 3RP intervention. Sessions will focus on developing an
understanding of stress sources and physiology, and on developing a regular practice of
eliciting the relaxation response (RR) and learning cognitive behavioral and positive
psychology skills to enhance resiliency to long-term stress. Participants will be encouraged
to practice skills (RR practice, thoughts records to learn adaptive thinking) between group
sessions.

Supportive Psychotherapy Control Program.

The control condition will be a supportive therapy program that is matched to the
intervention for number and length of sessions. Basic principles of supportive psychotherapy
will be followed, and the interventionist will facilitate discussion around what it is like
to live with HIV as an aging woman.

Inclusion Criteria:

- biologically born women who endorse a female identity

- living with HIV/AIDS

- age 50 or older

- English-speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

- presence of an active (i.e. untreated) and interfering psychiatric disorder (e.g.,
bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse)

- have participated in a structured cognitive behavioral therapy and/or a mind-body
intervention in the past year