Behavioral Activation and HIV Risk Reduction for Men Who Have Sex With Men With Crystal Meth Abuse

Mass General Brigham

Status and phase: Unknown; Phase 1

Conditions: Crystal Methamphetamine Dependence; Crystal Methamphetamine Abuse

Treatments: Behavioral: Behavioral Activation Therapy and Risk Reduction Counseling (BAT-RR); Behavioral: Information, Motivation, Behavioral skills change approach to sexual risk reduction

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01255280

3293841

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to research a new behavioral treatment to reduce sexual risk-taking in men who have sex with men (MSM) who abuse crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth), and are at risk for HIV acquisition. This study proposes using a treatment based on our original pilot study that incorporates risk reduction and behavioral activation therapy. In order to help learn what types of treatment programs best help individuals who abuse crystal meth and engage in sexual risk-taking, we will compare our treatment to a control group. The treatment group will receive therapy incorporating behavioral risk reduction counseling with behavioral activation therapy to treat depression, helping individuals reengage in their life. The control group will receive the risk reduction counseling without the behavioral activation therapy. The current study hopes to explore the efficacy of this previous developed treatment in a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial.

Full description

1. To estimate, in a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), the effect size of the proposed intervention on reductions in sexual risk taking and crystal meth use. The primary outcome is the number of unprotected anal sex acts and a secondary outcome is reduction in crystal meth use episodes over the follow up period.
2. To explore the degree to which improvements in sexual risk taking are associated with the conceptual mediators of the effects of the intervention: reductions in crystal meth use and increases in pleasurable (but safe) activities, BAT skills, use of risk reduction skills, and reductions in depressed mood.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 18 years or older
• Self-reports as a man who has sex with men
• HIV-uninfected and verifies serostatus at baseline (HIV antibody testing and positive tests will be confirmed by Western Blots; see Human Subjects for operational aspects)
• Meets DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for crystal meth abuse/dependence
• Self reported unprotected anal intercourse-receptive or insertive-with a non-monogamous male sexual partner, while concurrently using crystal meth (use of meth must be a few hours prior to, or during, sex) in the prior three months

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to provide informed consent due to severe mental or physical illness, or substance intoxication at the time of interview
• Has lived in the greater Boston area for three months or less (as a means to enhance participant retention)
• Discovery of active suicidal ideation at the time of interview (these patients will be referred immediately for treatment, but may join the study when this is resolved)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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50 participants in 2 patient groups

Information, Motivation, Behavioral skills

Active Comparator group

Description:

The comparison condition will only receive the two IMB risk reduction sessions. The intervention will begin with modules that focus directly with sexual risk reduction practices. It will begin with a discussion of one's sexual history, sexual risk limits, and barriers (e.g., motivation or skills) to staying in their sexual risk limits. This session will also involve a Q\&A discussion and the use of a fact sheet regarding HIV acquisition risk behaviors (information). The next session will involve motivational interviewing and the formulation of an individualized behavioral skills plan as needed.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Information, Motivation, Behavioral skills change approach to sexual risk reduction

Behavioral Activation Therapy and Risk Reduction Counseling

Experimental group

Description:

This intervention is given to patients in the experimental condition only and is comprised of 10 sessions-1 baseline session focused on orienting and rationale, 2 focused on risk reduction (consistent with the IMB model: information, motivation, and behavioral skills), 6 incorporating behavioral activation therapy/risk reduction counseling, and 1 final session on relapse prevention. Each session will last approximately fifty minutes in length; and will also involve a review of the previous materials,and hence the behavioral activation approach will be woven back into the risk reduction content.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral Activation Therapy and Risk Reduction Counseling (BAT-RR)