Cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention effects on anxiety, 24-hr urinary norepinephrine output, and T-cytotoxic/suppressor cells over time among symptomatic HIV-infected gay men

The present study tested the effects of a multimodal cognitive-behavioral s tress management (CBSM) intervention on anxious mood, perceived stress, 24- hr urinary catecholamine levels, and changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations over time in symptomatic HIV+ gay men. Seventy-three men were randomized t o either a group-based CBSM intervention (n = 47) or a wait-list control (W LC) condition (n = 26). Men assigned to CBSM showed significantly lower pos ttreatment levels of self-reported anxiety, anger, total mood disturbance, and perceived stress and less norepinephrine (NE) output as compared with m en in the WLC group. At the individual level, anxiety decreases paralleled NE reductions. Significantly greater numbers of T-cytotoxic/suppressor (CD3 +CD8+) lymphocytes were found 6 to 12 months later in those assigned to CBS M. Moreover, greater decreases in NE output and a greater frequency of rela xation home practice during the 10-week CBSM intervention period predicted higher CD3+CD8+ cell counts at follow-up.