A structured group psychotherapy programme improves adjustment to lipodistrophy in HIV+ patients: Preliminary data

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the immediate efficacy of a specific group therapy program in improving quality of life and adjustment to body changes due to fat redistribution (lipodistrophy syndrome) in HIV+ patients taking antiretroviral treatment.

Methods:

The therapy program consisted of 12 weekly two-hour sessions following a structured cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy program focused on development of coping strategies, including specific psychoeducational interventions in nutrition and physical exercises. Eight HIV-positive patients with generalized lipodistrophy (affecting face, button and extremities) who referred psychological impairment due to body changes participated in a group therapy. Repeated measures Friedman test was used to analyse changes on the modified version of the Dermatological Quality of Life Inventory (DQLI) administered at three time points: T1 (one month before therapy), T2 (first session), and T3 (last session) Results: All participants (six women, and two men) completed the therapy program. A significant improvement was observed during the intervention time (between T2 and T3). No changes were observed during baseline (between T1 and T2). Issues raised by group participants were problems with dressing, fear of stigmatization, social isolation, and difficulties in sexual relations.

Conclusions:

Preliminary data show that our psychotherapy program improves quality of life and psychological adjustment to lipodistrophy body changes in HIV infected patients. Further groups should be performed to confirm its efficacy.