Duo Partnership Adherence Commitment Therapy (DuoPACT)

University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

Status: Completed

Conditions: HIV/AIDS

Treatments: Behavioral: DuoPACT; Behavioral: LifeSteps

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02925949

2R01NR010187-10A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This is a randomized controlled trial of a new behavioral intervention designed to improve engagement in HIV care for couples. Investigators will compare the HIV viral load outcomes of couples randomized to a couples-based adherence intervention (DuoPACT) or to an individual adherence intervention (LifeSteps).

Full description

The investigators will test the intervention to improve HIV care engagement by enrolling 150 sexual or gender minority couples and randomizing 75 couples each to one of two conditions: 1) DuoPACT, a newly-developed couples intervention; or 2) LifeSteps, a standardized antiretroviral adherence intervention for HIV+ individuals. After randomization, intervention sessions will be delivered weekly (6 DuoPACT sessions, or 3 Life Steps sessions). All couples will be assessed pre/post intervention to evaluate intervention effects via behavioral indicators of engagement in HIV care, the couple's relationship dynamics, and the primary outcome of HIV viral load.

Enrollment: 288 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. 18+ years old;
2. Identifies as a sexual or gender minority;
3. In a primary romantic relationship for at least 3 months;
4. At least one partner is HIV+;
5. English-speaking;
6. Able to provide informed consent; and
7. For HIV+ participants: Evidence of suboptimal engagement in HIV care.

Exclusion criteria

1. Must be able to consent to and follow study protocol;
2. Evidence of severe cognitive impairment or active psychosis;
3. Lives outside California or plans to relocate from the state of California in the next 6 months; or
4. Participation in the DuoPACT pilot.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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288 participants in 2 patient groups

DuoPACT

Active Comparator group

Description:

A 6-session HIV medication adherence support program for couples.

Treatment:

Behavioral: DuoPACT

LifeSteps

Active Comparator group

Description:

A 3-session HIV medication adherence support program for individuals.

Treatment:

Behavioral: LifeSteps