Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Silva-based Relaxation Therapy on Psychological Capital, Social
Anxiety, and CD4+ Count in People Living with HIV in Iran
Authors: Mirzapour Pegah , Boosiraz Abbas , Roozbahani Mohammad Mahdi , Fakhri B Maryam S. , Alinaghi Seyed Ahmad Seyed 
Published: December 2024

Background/ Objective:

Due to the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection on personal and social life, people living with HIV (PLWH) are faced with several challenges
and issues. Therefore, PLWH requires psychological interventions. The study aims were
to create a suitable platform for psychological structures that empower them to address their issues
effectively. In this regard, we evaluated the effect of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy
(MBCT) and Silva-based Relaxation Therapy (SBRT) on Psychological Capital (PsyCap), Social
Anxiety (SA), and CD4 count in PLWH.

Methods:

This study employed an intervention-based semi-experimental design. The population
consisted of 90 individuals infected with HIV. Participants were divided into two experimental
groups receiving MBCT and SBRT, respectively, and one control group, selected randomly. Before
and after the intervention, questionnaires and CD4+ tests were administered to the participants.
Only two experimental groups received the intervention, while the control group received
no training. The appropriate training for each group was conducted twice a week over eight sessions
and each session lasted 90 minutes. In the intervention groups, all the people participated
in all the group training sessions. No intervention was performed for the participants of the control
group, and they only completed the questionnaires in the same period as the intervention groups.
"Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy" and "Mind Control" books were used for the implementation
of MBCT and SBRT, respectively.

Results:

It was revealed that a number of male participants constituted the majority with 58
(64.4%) compared to females. Regarding the means of transmission, sexual contact was the most
common with 62 (68.8%) compared to other routes. The mean age of the participants was 40.5 ±
10.8 years. For the SBRT group, the mean CD4+ count was higher, with 599.5 ± 290.9 for pretest
and 563.2 ± 366.7 for post-test assessments, compared to other groups. After performing the
linear regression analysis, it was found that the variables had no effect on the main outcome,
which is CD4 count after the intervention (p-value= 0.27). For the MBCT group, the CD4+ count
variable had a p-value = 0.10 (pretest: 447.2 ± 19.5, posttest: 411.9 ± 235.9), for the SBRT group,
the CD4+ count variable had a p-value = 0.05 (pretest: 599.5 ± 290.9, posttest: 549 ± 259.9), and
the control group, the CD4+ count variable had a p-value = 0.5 (pretest: 445 ± 222.7, posttest:
563.2 ± 366.7).

Conclusion:

MBCT and SBRT may enhance the mental well-being of PLWH. Therefore, following
the interventions, the mean level of SA decreased, and PsyCap increased. Thus, strategies
to improve psychological support interventions may have a significant impact on improving the
health status of individuals living with HIV, including indicators of SA and PsyCap.