Mind-body practices for people living with HIV: a systematic scoping review

Abstract

Background Mind-body practices are frequently used by people living with HIV to reduce symptoms and improve wellbeing. These include Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, meditation, and all types of relaxation. Although there is substantial research on the efficacy of mind-body practices in people living with HIV, there is no summary of the available evidence on these practices. The aim of this scoping review is to map available evidence of mind-body practices in people living with HIV. Methods The Arksey and O’Malley (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8:19-32, 2005) methodological framework was used. A search of 16 peer-review and grey literature databases, websites, and relevant journals (1983–2015) was conducted. To identify relevant studies, two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to all abstracts or full articles. Inclusion criteria were: participants were people living with HIV; the intervention was any mind-body practice; and the study design was any research study evaluating one or several of these practices. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed by one reviewer and checked by a second, as needed, using the criteria that Cochrane Collaboration recommends for systematic reviews of interventions (Higgins and Green, Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of intervention. 2011). A tabular and narrative synthesis was carried out for each mind-body practice. Results One hundred thirty-six documents drawing on 84 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most widely studied mind-body practice was a combination of least three relaxation techniques ( n = 20), followed in declining order by meditation ( n = 17), progressive muscle relaxation ( n = 10), yoga ( n = 9) and hypnosis ( n = 8). Slightly over half (47/84) of studies used a RCT design. The interventions were mainly (46/84) conducted in groups and most (51/84) included daily individual home practice. All but two studies were unblinded to participants. Conclusion The amount of available research on mind-body practices varies by practice. Almost half of the studies in this review were at high risk of bias. However, mindfulness, a combination of least three relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral strategies, and yoga show encouraging results in decreasing physical and psychological symptoms and improving quality of life and health in people living with HIV. More rigorous studies are necessary to confirm the results of Tai Chi, Qigong, and some relaxation techniques.

The Feasibility and Impact of a Yoga Intervention on Cognition, Physical Function, Physical Activity, and Affective Outcomes Among People Living with HIV: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

“…26 Finally, a systematic scoping review of 84 studies showed that mindfulness, relaxation techniques, cognitivebehavioral strategies, and yoga had beneficial effects on health-related quality of life and physical and psychological symptoms among PLWH. 18 Emerging evidence also suggests that mind-body exercise can improve physical performance among PLWH. Participants in the abovementioned RCT by Galantino and colleagues (2005) who performed aerobic exercise and Tai Chi had significant improvements in balance using the functional reach test.…”

Protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial evaluating feasibility and acceptability of cognitive remediation group therapy compared with mutual aid group therapy for people ageing with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in Toronto, Canada

“…CRGT may offer participants practical and emotional coping strategies alongside the inherent social connection benefit that participants can receive from the mutual aid control. This will build on existing research showing that combination approaches are preferable to people living with HIV22 and people with dementia,19 while addressing the gap in psychosocial interventions for people with HAND. This refinement pilot trial will provide insight into the feasibility and acceptability of CRGT and a study of this nature, to inform the development of a larger study.…”

“…In the general population with dementia, a systematic review synthesis found that these group-based, multicomponent strategies improve global cognitive functioning and activities of daily living to a greater extent than a single-component therapy 21. Similar evidence for people living with HIV is still emerging; however, a recent scoping review found that combination approaches (ie, mindfulness, cognitive training techniques and group therapy) to psychosocial interventions may have better health outcomes for people living with HIV than a single technique approach 22. People with the emotional stability and practical coping strategies can more successfully adapt to the challenges of ageing, such as cognitive decline 23–25.…”

Integrative Medicine: A Health Paradigm of the Future

“…129 Successful applications include menopausal transition, 130 autism, 131 posttraumatic stress disorder, 132 musculoskeletal pain, 133 hearth failure, 134 and helpful for people living with HIV. 135 Yoga and meditation. Yoga is an ancient Indian therapy based on undergoing to a "yoke" for balancing the body and mind through positions and stretching's in order to heal or transcend to a higher level for pediatric and medical conditions, including a very ample spectrum of diseases.…”