Effects of Mindfulness Training on Chronic Inflammation in HIV-Infected Adults

Formal mindfulness meditation methods taught in the MBSR course include: Body Scan Meditation (a supine meditation), Gentle Hatha Yoga (practiced with mindful awareness of the body), Sitting Meditation (mindfulness of breath, body, feelings, thoughts, and emotions), and Walking Meditation. Informal Mindfulness Meditation Practices (mindfulness in everyday life) include: 1) awareness of pleasant and unpleasant events, and, 2) deliberate awareness of routine activities and events such as eating, weather, walking, and interpersonal communication. Daily home assignments include a minimum of 30 minutes daily formal mindfulness practices and 5-15 minutes informal practice, 6 days per week for the entire duration of the course. Course sessions will consist of discussions oriented around weekly homework assignments, including an exploration of obstacles, and development of self-regulatory skills and capacities.

HEP is an active control that matches MBSR in non-specific factors, such as the amount of time participants interact, but does not include mindfulness practice as an active component. HEP instructors will be selected from experts in the areas covered: music, nutrition education, and, functional movement. The study's RC will coordinate HEP sessions and monitor attendance. Following the 8-week HEP protocol, subjects will meet monthly in 1.5-hour educational sessions to match the booster sessions of MBSR participants.