Abstract

Background: Chronic stress and depression have a negative impact on immune functioning and threaten the wellbeing of HIV-positive patients. Although therapy methods, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
have been shown to reduce stress and depression in such patients, not all patients are willing or
able to undergo therapy over time. The Health Realization/Innate Health (HR/IH) psychoeducational
approach is a brief intervention alternative that can be presented in a classroom setting. It engages participants’ innate capacity to realize peace of mind.
Material/Methods: Eight volunteer participants from patients in the Positive Health Clinic at West Virginia University School of Medicine attended a 1-1/2 day HR/IH seminar called “Finding Your Natural Peace of Mind.” Shortly before the seminar started, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was administered
by a Clinic staff member. The BSI was administered again immediately following the seminar.
The BSI was mailed to the participants four weeks following the seminar with a return envelope.
Participants’ confi dentiality was maintained through a coded ID. Pre-, post- and follow-up results
were compared.
Results: Each case was evaluated individually. The participant who pre-tested in the “psychiatric inpatient” range of the BSI showed no change after the seminar or at follow-up. The participants who tested in the non-patient normal range before the seminar showed some improvement after and at follow-
up. The participants who scored in the “psychiatric outpatient” range entering the seminar all showed improvement that was sustained upon follow-up.
Conclusions: The HR/IH psychoeducational approach deserves further study as a brief intervention for stressreduction in HIV-positive patients.

Keywords: Anxiety - prevention & control, Adolescent, HIV Seropositivity - psychology, Patient Education as Topic - methods, Pilot Projects, Psychotherapy, Brief, Stress, Physiological - prevention & control