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Objective: To examine the type and frequency of living strategies used by adults living with HIV. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey that included 51 living strategies: maintaining sense of control, attitudes and beliefs, blocking HIV out of the mind, and social interaction. We examined the frequency of use and compared the proportion of respondents who engaged in strategies across 3 age-groups (<40 years, 40-49 years, and ≥50 years). Results: Of the 935 participants, the majority were men (79%) and most (≥60%) engaged “most” or “all of the time” in healthy lifestyle strategies and maintained a positive outlook living with HIV. Compared to younger participants, a higher proportion of older adults (≥50 years) engaged “most” or “all the time” in strategies that involved maintaining control over health and adopting positive attitudes and outlook living with HIV. Conclusions: Findings can help to inform the role of self-management to enhance successful aging with HIV.

ObjectivesOur aim was to examine wireless physical activity monitor (WPAM) use and its associations with contextual factors (age, highest education level, social support and mental health) among adults living with HIV engaged in a community-based exercise (CBE) intervention.DesignQuantitative, longitudinal, observational study.SettingToronto YMCA, Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsEighty adults living with HIV who initiated the CBE intervention.InterventionParticipants received a WPAM to track physical activity during a 25-week CBE intervention involving thrice-weekly exercise, supervised weekly (phase 1) and a 32-week follow-up involving thrice-weekly exercise with no supervision (phase 2), completed in December 2018.Outcome measuresUptake was measured as participants who consented to WPAM use at initation of the intervention. Usage was defined as the proportion of days each participant had greater than 0 steps out of the total number of days in the study. We measured contextual factors using a baseline demographic questionnaire (age, highest education level), and median scores from the bimonthly administered Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (mental health), where higher scores indicated greater social support and mental health concerns, respectively. We calculated Spearman correlations between WPAM usage and contextual factors.ResultsSeventy-six of 80 participants (95%) consented to WPAM use. In phase 1, 66% of participants (n=76) and in phase 2, 61% of participants (n=64) used the WPAM at least 1 day. In phase 1, median WPAM usage was 50% (25th, 75th percentile: 0%, 87%; n=76) of days enrolled and in phase 2, 23% (0%, 76%; n=64) of days. Correlation coefficients with WPAM usage ranged from weak for age (ρ=0.26) and mental health scores (ρ=−0.25) to no correlation (highest education level, social support).ConclusionsMost adults living with HIV consented to WPAM use, however, usage declined over time from phase 1 to phase 2. Future implementation of WPAMs should consider factors to promote sustained usage by adults living with HIV.Trial registration numberNCT02794415.

Yoga interventions have been shown to promote positive body image, although these studies have focused predominantly on young women. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a positive body image yoga intervention in a sample of men and women across the adult lifespan and to examine the potential changes in body image following the intervention. Sixty-two adults (≥18 years of age) who were not engaging in yoga and scored a 4 or lower on a measure of body appreciation (to avoid ceiling effects) were recruited from a small Canadian city. Participants were randomly assigned to an in-person 10-week yoga or waitlist control group. Participants self-reported demographic information; they completed body image measures online at baseline, 5 weeks, and program end. Study adherence, retention, and dropout rates were measured at program end to assess feasibility and acceptability. A total of 195 individuals contacted us with interest in the study, of which 82 (42%) were eligible. Fifty-seven participants were randomized (Mage of the sample was 52 years; 93% identified as White and 86% identified as a woman). Measures of feasibility (4.82/5 yoga, 3.42/5 control), acceptability (4.80/5 yoga, 3.33/5 control), and appropriateness (4.82/5 yoga, 3.35/5 control) supported the feasibility of the intervention condition. Secondary indicators of feasibility were also assessed. Twenty-one participants attended at least one yoga class, with mean attendance at the yoga classes 79%. All classes were delivered as intended. Sixteen (57%) and 18 (62%) participants in the yoga and control group, respectively, completed measures at all three time points. There was a total of 12 dropouts and 11 dropouts in the yoga and control group, respectively. There were improvements in functionality appreciation (η  = .168) and body satisfaction with body function (η  = .105) in favor of those in the yoga intervention group. This pilot study provided insight into conducting a fully randomized controlled trial of a yoga program to improve positive body image in men and women across the adult lifespan. Although some changes, particularly to the recruitment of men and younger individuals, are necessary in subsequent studies, in general the yoga program was feasible to deliver and acceptable to participants. Changes to the control group to make it more acceptable would be beneficial. Exploratory analysis indicated the program could improve positive body image facets. NCT05899881. First submitted on May 24, 2023. First posted on June 12, 2023.

Background: Wireless physical activity monitors (WPAMs) are used to measure physical activity among healthy and chronic illness populations, however their use and measurement properties in the context of HIV are unclear. Methods: I conducted a Scoping Review using the Arksey and O’Malley framework and a cross-sectional measurement study to assess criterion and construct validity of the Fitbit Zip® to measure physical activity among adults living with HIV. Results: Twenty-five articles were included in the scoping review. WPAMs were used primarily as a measure of physical activity, and to a lesser extent a motivational tool to enhance physical activity. The cross-sectional measurement study provided evidence of criterion validity of the Fitbit Zip® to measure steps taken but not distance walked (m) and did not establish construct validity for measuring physical activity. Conclusion: Results provide directions for future research including, physical activity promotion using WPAMs and assessing measurement properties of other WPAMs.