A psychological intervention for HIV patients in addition to medical treatment

ISRCTN ISRCTN50955076
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN50955076
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
16/03/2012
Registration date
28/03/2012
Last edited
18/09/2014
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Infections and Infestations
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Until recent years, HIV illness was characterized by a predominately downward trajectory that ended with death after months of debilitating AIDS-defining diseases. The advent in 1996 of the new highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART) extended survival and reduced the prevalence of AIDS opportunistic infections in many HIV-infected individuals. However, HAART has also created new challenges with important implications for mental health interventions. Threats regarding physical survival have to a large extent been replaced by the distress associated with chronic illness. Hence, as HIV-infected individuals live longer, it is increasingly important for clinicians and researchers to better understand and improve well-being and quality of life. Consequently, this study aims at testing a web-based intervention that was developed to address mental health issues among HIV-infected individuals.

Who can participate?
The study recruited a group of HIV-infected patients, aged 18 or older, on antiretroviral therapy at an outpatient clinic at Oslo University Hospital (Norway).

What does the study involve?
All participants that accepted the study invitation were randomly allocated into two groups (experiment or control group). Those participants that were assigned to the experiment group were given access to the intervention, called Avanti. Avanti is a web-based self-help program that is designed to improve and manage HIV patients' symptoms of depression and well-being. Avanti consists of 13 sessions and lasts for 4 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention other than medical treatment as usual. Control participants were, however, given access to Avanti when the final survey data were collected. All participants were surveyed at the start of the study and 1 and 3 months later.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants that receive the web-based intervention can potentially experience decreases in depressive symptoms and increases in well-being. There are no expected negative side effects from treatment.

Where is the study run from?
The study is conducted at the outpatient clinic at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital (OUH).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in February 2011 and the final data collection ended in October 2011.

Who is funding the study?
The study was funded by Abbott Laboratories (Norway) and the intervention was funded by Medicus Plesner (Norway).

Who is the main contact?
Filip Drozd
fd@changetech.no

Contact information

Mr Filip Drozd
Scientific

Changetech AS
Gaustadalleen 21
Oslo
0349
Norway

Phone +47 97 516 188
Email fd@changetech.no

Study information

Study designTwo-armed randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)GP practice
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA digital psychological intervention for HIV patients in adjunct to medical treatment – a randomized clinical trial
Study objectives1. The web-based intervention decreases symptoms of depression at 3 months as compared to the treatment-as-usual group
2. The web-based intervention increases satisfaction with life at 3 months as compared to the treatment-as-usual group
3.1. The web-based intervention increases positive affect at 3 months as compared to the treatment-as-usual group
3.2. The web-based intervention decreases negative affect at 3 months as compared to the treatment-as-usual grou
3.3. The web-based intervention increases overall mood at 3 months as compared to the treatment-as-usual group
4. Are there any moderators (e.g., age, time since first HIV seropositive test, time since start of antiretroviral therapy) of treatment effect on depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and positive and negative affect?
Ethics approval(s)1. Oslo University Hospital Ethics Committee, 27/09/2010, ref: 1557
2. Regional Ethics Commitee (http://helseforskning.etikkom.no), 15/02/2011, ref: 2010/2948-1
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPatients infected with HIV for more than 12 months.
InterventionThe intervention is called Avanti.

Avanti is a web-based self-help program that is designed to improve and manage HIV patients' symptoms of depression and well-being. Avanti consists of 13 sessions and lasts for 4 weeks. Once a user is registered he or she will receive an email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a unique link to each new session. Every session consists of unique content. The intervention contains psychoeducative information and applies techniques, and exercises from positive psychology and metacognitive therapy. These techniques and exercises are designed to improve well-being and manage negative emotions and thoughts. However, Avanti is not intended as a replacement but rather a supplement to existing treatments.

The control group did not receive any intervention other than medical treatment as usual. Control participants were, however, given access to Avanti when the final survey data were collected.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977)
2. Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985)
3. Positive & Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS; Watson, Clarke & Tellegen, 1988)

All participants were measures on primary outcomes on baseline, 1, and 3 months post-intervention enrollment.
Secondary outcome measuresNo secondary outcome measures
Overall study start date15/02/2011
Completion date15/10/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsApproximately 60 patients were needed across the two treatment arms
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients registered at the outpatient clinic at Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevål, Oslo University Hospital
2. 18 years or older
3. Norwegian - speaking
4. White - caucasian
5. HIV infected
6. Not infected by drug use
7. On antiretroviral therapy >12 months prior to inclusion
Key exclusion criteriaDoes meet inculsion criteria
Date of first enrolment15/02/2011
Date of final enrolment15/10/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Norway

Study participating centre

Changetech AS
Oslo
0349
Norway

Sponsor information

Abbott Laboratories (Norway)
Industry

Martin Linges vei 25
PO Box 1
N-1330 Fornebu
Oslo
1330
Norway

Website http://www.abbott.com/

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Abbott Laboratories (Norway)
Government organisation / For-profit companies (industry)
Alternative name(s)
Abbott, Abbott U.S., Abbott Alkaloidal Company
Location
United States of America
Medicus-Plesner (Norway)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan