Who is doing the study?

Dr. Susan Folkman and Dr. Frederick M. Hecht at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine are leading the study with about a dozen other UCSF researchers. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

What is the purpose of the study?

To examine the effects of a meditation based stress reduction program and an education program on HIV. The study will look at CD4 T- cell counts and viral load levels, depression and quality of life, and stress hormones. The study is based on prior research showing that decreases in stress hormones and improved mood are linked to slower loss of CD4 T-cells. The study uses a meditation course that has been widely used in medical settings and has been shown to decrease stress and depression. The education program covers a range of topics to help you live well with HIV, including communicating with your doctor  and making well-informed decisions about treatment, increasing familiarity with HIV terminology and blood tests, using complementary therapies such as nutrition and vitamins/supplements based on the latest science, and positive sex.