Effect of a Short-term Lifestyle Modification Program on Quality of Life, Anthropometric Characteristics and CD4+T Cell Count of HIV Infected Patients in Tehran/Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Increasing physical activity and promoting healthy behaviors may play a key role in reducing the adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy and HIV. This study investigated the effects of an 8-week lifestyle modification program (LMP) on quality of life, anthropometric characteristics and CD4+T cell count of people living with HIV (PLWH). Thirty PLWH taking ART were randomly assigned to a lifestyle modification program (LMP) (n=15) or standard care control (CON) group (n=15). All volunteers underwent body composition, CD4+T cell count measurement and quality of life assessments at the beginning and end of a two-month experimental period. At follow-up, we observed a significant increase in CD4+T cell count (117.52 cells/mm3; 95% CI, 36.59-198.45) and all subscales and total quality of life score (Short-Form 36 (SF-36) in the LMP group. While we did not observe a significant change in body composition for the LMP group, we did observe a significant increase in body fat (1.75%; 95% CI, 0.15, 2.33) and a reduction in lean body mass (-1.26; 95% CI, -1.26, -2.39) for the CON group. A LMP can be safely used as an effective intervention for improving quality of life and immune competence of PLWH who lack time to participate in a structured exercise regimen. IRCT 201604034076N18. Registered: 2016-05-05 .web address of TRIAL: en.search.irct.ir/trial/4262.