Effect of a short-term lifestyle modification program on quality of life, anthropometric characteristics and CD4+T cell count of HIV infected patients in Tehran/Iran: A randomized controlled trial

Context Increasing physical activity and promoting healthy behaviors may play a key role in reducing the adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy and HIV. Objective This study investigated the effects of an 8-week lifestyle modification program (LMP) on quality of life, anthropometric characteristics and CD4+T cell count of people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods Thirty PLWH taking ART were randomly assigned to a lifestyle modification program (LMP) ( n  = 15) or standard care control (CON) group ( n  = 15). All volunteers underwent body composition, CD4+T cell count measurement and quality of life assessments at the beginning and end of a two-month experimental period. Results At follow-up, we observed a significant increase in CD4+T cell count (117.52 cells/mm 3 ; 95% CI, 36.59–198.45) and all subscales and total quality of life score (Short-Form 36 (SF-36) in the LMP group. While we did not observe a significant change in body composition for the LMP group, we did observe a significant increase in body fat (1.75%; 95% CI, 0.15, 2.33) and a reduction in lean body mass (−1.26; 95% CI, −1.26, −2.39) for the CON group. Conclusion A LMP can be safely used as an effective intervention for improving quality of life and immune competence of PLWH who lack time to participate in a structured exercise regimen. Trial registration IRCT 201604034076N18. Registered : 2016-05-05 . web address of TRIAL: en.search.irct.ir/trial/4262