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HIV - Human Immunodeficiency VirusHIV CBT ACTNCT07652918

Comparison of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Managing Psychological Distress and Its Multifaceted Impact on Stigmatization, Psychological Wellbeing, Social Support and Treatment Adherence in HIV/AIDS Patients

A study testing CBT in people with HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Psychological Distress, run by Sadia Batool at 1 site in Pakistan.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This is a randomized controlled trial comparing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for HIV/AIDS patients at Sheikh Zayed Hospital. 72 adults, aged 18-40 on ART will be randomized to CBT group (n=24), ACT group (n=24), or control group (n=24). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
CBT
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
72 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
13 Nov 2025to 15 Dec 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants must have a documented medical diagnosis of HIV/AIDS by a healthcare professional.
  • Participants should fall within a specified age range, typically from 18 years to 40 years older.
  • ACT and CBT treatments will be made available to participants who are receiving ART.
  • Participants must be actively receiving or seeking treatment and care for their HIV/AIDS condition at Sheikh Zayed Hospital.
  • Individuals must express their voluntary willingness to participate in the study and provide informed consent.

Who cannot join

  • Individuals with severe cognitive impairments that would hinder their ability to engage in assessments or therapy sessions will be excluded.
  • Individuals with severe psychiatric conditions that require immediate specialized care beyond the scope of the study will be excluded.
  • Individuals with a history of prior participation in a similar cognitive behavior therapy intervention for HIV/AIDS will be excluded to avoid potential confounding effects from previous treatment experiences

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Pakistan1 site
  • Sheikh Zayed Hospital Rahim Yar Khan

    Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab Province, 64200

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

This is a randomized controlled trial comparing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for HIV/AIDS patients at Sheikh Zayed Hospital. 72 adults, aged 18-40 on ART will be randomized to CBT group (n=24), ACT group (n=24), or control group (n=24). Interventions are 8 weekly sessions of 35-40 minutes. Primary outcomes are depression, anxiety, stress measured by DASS-21, plus stigma, psychological wellbeing, social support, and medication adherence. Assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up using DASS-21, PWB, MPSS, GMAS, and MMSE. Ethical approval obtained from IRB of Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation ensured.

Read the detailed description

Background \& Rationale:

HIV/AIDS is a chronic condition with significant psychological burden. People living with HIV/AIDS experience high levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and stigma, which affect treatment adherence and quality of life. Both Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are evidence-based interventions for psychological distress, but their comparative effectiveness in HIV/AIDS patients in Pakistan has not been evaluated. This study aims to compare ACT and CBT for managing psychological distress and improving stigma, wellbeing, social support, and medication adherence.

Objective:

To compare the effectiveness of brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing psychological distress and improving stigmatization, psychological wellbeing, social support, and medication adherence among HIV/AIDS patients.

Study Design:

Randomized Controlled Trial with single-blind design. Participants will be allocated to three groups using a computer-generated randomization sequence:

  1. CBT group (n=24): Standard care + 8 weeks of brief CBT
  2. ACT group (n=24): Standard care + 8 weeks of brief ACT
  3. Control group (n=24): Standard care only, no specific psychological intervention

A pilot study with 15 participants will be conducted prior to the main trial.

Participants:

  • Inclusion: Adults aged 18-40 years with a documented HIV/AIDS diagnosis, receiving ART, actively seeking treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, and providing informed consent.
  • Exclusion: Severe cognitive impairment, severe psychiatric conditions requiring specialized care, or prior participation in similar CBT/ACT interventions for HIV/AIDS.

Intervention:

Both ACT and CBT will be delivered as once-weekly sessions of 35-40 minutes for 8 weeks.

  • ACT focuses on acceptance, mindfulness, values, committed action, and cognitive diffusion.
  • CBT focuses on identifying/challenging negative thoughts, behavioral activation, and coping strategies.

Interventions will be culturally adapted and delivered by therapists with at least a Master's degree and training in CBT/ACT.

Outcome Measures:

Assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up using:

  • DASS-21: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale
  • Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB): 6 domains of wellbeing
  • HIV Stigma Scale: To measure perceived stigma
  • Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSS): Urdu version
  • General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS): Urdu version
  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE): For cognitive screening

Data Collection \& Analysis:

Data will be collected using self-report questionnaires. Ethical approval will be obtained from the IRB of Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation will be ensured. Data analysis will compare outcomes across the three groups to evaluate effectiveness.

Ethics:

The study complies with ethical standards for human research. Institutional approval and ongoing informed consent will be maintained. Participant anonymity and data protection will be rigorously enforced.

Duration:

Study duration is not specified in the excerpt, but involves 8-week intervention plus 6-month follow-up.

Institution:

Department of Applied Psychology, The Islamia University Bahawalpur. Principal Investigator: Sadia Batool, Ph.D. Applied Psychology

Being tested
CBT, ACT+ Standard Care
Medical subject headings
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • CBTBehavioural

    Participants receive standard ART care plus 8 weekly sessions of brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 35-40 minutes each. CBT focuses on identifying/challenging negative thoughts, behavioral activation, and coping strategies. Delivered by Master's-level therapist trained in CBT, culturally adapted for HIV/AIDS patients.

  • ACT+ Standard CareBehavioural

    ACT

Study groups in NCT07652918
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
CBT + Standard CareExperimentalCBT + Standard Care
Receives: Behavioral: CBT; Behavioral: ACT+ Standard Care
ACT+ Standard CareExperimentalACT+ Standard Care
Receives: Behavioral: CBT; Behavioral: ACT+ Standard Care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. HIV Stigma Scale

    The 40-item HSS scale was first created by Berger et al. in 2001. Saif and Shehzad (2020) translated and verified it into an Urdu form. For this investigation, the HSS Urdu version will be utilized. Four components are evaluated by the HSS: public opinions, disclosure concerns, unfavorable self-image, and individualized stigma. A 4-point Likert-type scale, ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree," is used to score each item. The range of HSS scores is 40 to 160. Higher scores signify a high level of stigma. The HSS is a legitimate and trustworthy measure with strong psychometric qualities.

    Measured: Baseline; up to 8 weeks; up to 6 months post-baseline

  2. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) 21

    The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was developed by Dr. Sydney H. Lovibond and Dr. Peter F. Lovibond in 1995 (Lovibond \& Lovibond, 1995) as a brief tool to measure the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in individuals. The DASS-21 is a shortened version of the original 42-item DASS, with 21 items divided equally among the three scales, allowing for efficient assessment while maintaining accuracy. Each item is rated on a four-point Likert scale (from "did not apply to me at all" to "applied to me very much"), reflecting the frequency and intensity of negative emotional symptoms over the past week. The DASS-21 has demonstrated strong reliability, with Cronbach's alpha values typically reported around 0.88 for depression, 0.82 for anxiety, and 0.90 for stress. This high reliability makes it a widely accepted tool in both clinical and research settings for quickly identifying and differentiating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Psychologists utilize the Depressi

    Measured: Baseline; up to 8 weeks; up to 6 months post-baseline

  3. Psychological well-being scale

    The Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) was developed by Dr. Carol D. Ryff in 1995 to measure multiple facets of positive functioning and overall psychological well-being (Ryff, 1995). The 33 components make up the modified SPWB measure. There are six sub-scales for each of the six positive functioning elements. The autonomy subscale evaluates a person's feeling of independence and self-determination. There are five things in it, such as "I tend to be influenced by people with strong opinions."

    Measured: Baseline; up to 8 weeks; up to 6 months post-baseline

  4. Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSS)

    Zimet et al. (1988) created MPSS initially. Akhtar et al. (2010) translated and verified it into an Urdu version. The MPSS version that is being used for this investigation is Urdu. The 12-item, unidimensional MPSS measures an individual's perception of their social support network, which consists of friends, family, and significant others. A 7-point rating system, ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree," is used for each issue. A greater degree of social support is indicated by a higher score. MPSS has an overall reliability of >0.80, with subscale reliability of 0.82, 0.86, and 0.86, respectively.

    Measured: Baseline; up to 8 weeks; up to 6 months post-baseline

  5. The Mini-Mental State Examination

    The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is one of the most frequently used and extensively studied concerning precision and accuracy. MMSE was developed by Folstein M.F., in 1975. The test can be administered to individuals who are 18-85 years or older. It is an 11-question measure that tests 5 areas of cognitive function: Orientation, Registration, Attention and Calculation, Recall, and Language. A score of 23 or less has generally been accepted as indicating the presence of cognitive impairment.

    Measured: Baseline; up to 8 weeks; up to 6 months post-baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Jun 2026
  2. Study start13 Nov 2025
  3. Primary completion15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion15 Dec 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
72 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07652918
Sponsor's protocol ID
F22BAPSY4M01006
Other IDs
388//IRB/SZMC/SZH
Acronym
HIV CBT ACT
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
30 May 2026
Last updated
17 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: my selected population is HIV aids patients and the data is highly confidential

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing CBT in people with HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Psychological Distress, run by Sadia Batool at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

HIV Stigma Scale (time frame: Baseline; up to 8 weeks; up to 6 months post-baseline). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Jun 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 29 Oct 2026.

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