The aim of this exploratory study was to examine the possible mechanisms of behavioral change in a cognitive-behavioral intervention supporting medication adherence in HIV-infected persons. A total of 60 persons currently under medical treatment were randomized to psychotherapy or usual care and were compared with a sociodemographically matched group of general psychotherapy clients. Outcome measures included therapy adherence using medication event-monitoring system psychotherapeutic processes and changes of experience and behavior. The general psychotherapy group was initially more distressed than HIV psychotherapy patients and reached higher levels of psychotherapeutic effect. In the HIV psychotherapy patients, a significant effect was found for maintaining adherence to medical treatment (Weber et al., 2004). These findings show that psychotherapy is a beneficial intervention for HIV-infected persons, and therapeutic alliance and activation of resources do not differ from a general psychotherapy treatment. Differential effects were detected for specific process variables, namely problem actuation. AbstractThe aim of this exploratory study was to examine the possible mechanisms of behavioral change in a cognitiveÁbehavioral intervention supporting medication adherence in HIV-infected persons. A total of 60 persons currently under medical treatment were randomized to psychotherapy or usual care and were compared with a sociodemographically matched group of general psychotherapy clients. Outcome measures included therapy adherence using medication event-monitoring system psychotherapeutic processes and changes of experience and behavior. The general psychotherapy group was initially more distressed than HIV psychotherapy patients and reached higher levels of psychotherapeutic effect. In the HIV psychotherapy patients, a significant effect was found for maintaining adherence to medical treatment (Weber et al., 2004). These findings show that psychotherapy is a beneficial intervention for HIV-infected persons, and therapeutic alliance and activation of resources do not differ from a general psychotherapy treatment. Differential effects were detected for specific process variables, namely problem actuation.

Objective A high level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy is required for complete suppression of HIV replication, immunological and clinical effectiveness. We investigated whether cognitive behaviour therapy can improve medication adherence. Design Prospective randomized 1-year trial. Setting Collaboration of HIV university outpatient clinic and psychotherapists in private practice. Participants 60 HIV-infected persons on stable anti-retroviral combination therapy and viral load below 50 copies/ml. Intervention Cognitive behaviour intervention in individual patients, in addition to standard of care. Main outcome measures Feasibility and acceptance of intervention; adherence to therapy assessed using medication event monitoring system (MEMS) and self-report questionnaire; virological failure; psychosocial measures. Results The median number of sessions for cognitive behaviour intervention per patient during the 1-year trial was 11 (range 2–25). At months 10–12, mean adherence to therapy as assessed using MEMS was 92.8% in the intervention and 88.9% in the control group ( P=0.2); the proportion of patients with adherence ≥95% was 70 and 50.0% ( P=0.014), respectively. While there was no significant deterioration of adherence during the study in the intervention arm, adherence decreased by 8.7% per year ( P=0.006) in the control arm. No differences between the intervention group and standard of care group were found regarding virological outcome. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group perceived a significant improvement of their mental health during the study period. Conclusions Cognitive behavioural support in addition to standard of care of HIV-infected persons is feasible in routine practice, and can improve medication adherence and mental health.