Mindfulness therapy shows promise for HIV patients who drink too much
NCT ID NCT03974061
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested a short form of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in 49 people living with HIV who were hazardous drinkers. The therapy uses mindfulness and values-based action to reduce drinking and improve medication adherence. Researchers measured drinking days, alcohol levels, and HIV medication adherence over six months to see if the approach was feasible and acceptable.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a practical, short-term therapy to help people with HIV drink less and stick to their HIV medication.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small pilot study with only 49 participants, so results may not apply widely. The therapy may not lead to lasting changes in drinking or HIV outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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49 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2019
- Finished
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Nov 2022
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. ≥18 years of age, 2. HIV-positive, 3. currently prescribed ART medication, 4. score of ≥4 (men) or ≥3 (women) on the AUDIT-C. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Experiencing acute illness or declining health status when it is determined by a treatment provider that research participation is contraindicated, 2. unable to understand spoken English, 3. does not own a cell phone, 4. a score of 12 on the AUDIT-C, indicating high risk for a severe alcohol use disorder, 5. a score of ≥20 on the PHQ-9 indicating severe depressive symptoms, 6. a score of ≥15 on the GAD-7, indicating severe symptoms of anxiety, 7. experiencing active psychosis as judged by research staff via scores on the BSI.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York, 13244, United States
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