Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Physical Activity for PLWH and Unhealthy Drinking

United States222 participantsStarted 2023-02-22

Plain-language summary

Brief Summary: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant and costly public health problem that affects one-third of the U.S. population in their lifetime. Specifically, unhealthy alcohol use is common among persons living with HIV (PLWH) and increases the risk of developing negative outcomes. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown increasing life expectancy and decreased HIV-related deaths, leading to a growing older adult HIV population. Yet, HIV accelerates the aging process and increases the risk for numerous chronic health conditions that compromise physical and mental health functioning and quality of life. Thus, PLWH continue to have shorter life expectancies relative to the general population and these multimorbidities explain this increased risk. In this context, unhealthy alcohol use among PLWH can further increase the risk for negative outcomes. Physical activity (PA) interventions can be used as an effective way to address unhealthy alcohol use among PLWH. Previous PA interventions have shown low generalizability and high loss to follow-up. Therefore, an intervention that is home-based, including lifestyle physical activity (LPA) with mobile health-delivered components is designed following the physical activity (PA) paradigm. Participants in this randomized controlled trial will be assigned to one of two study arms -- either the LPA or Fitbit Only intervention - both lasting 12-weeks. Both study arms will utilize a Fitbit to track daily step counts. In addition to utilizing a Fitbit, the LPA arm will receive 7 LPA sessions with a trained interventionist to assist in adding LPA to the participant's routine. The Fitbit only arm will receive only brief check-in phone calls and only related to assisting with any Fitbit functioning issues. Follow-up assessments will take place at 3 and 6 months.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Have the ability to confirm HIV diagnosis either through visual evidence of ART medication or medical record * Engaged in unhealthy drinking, defined as: \>7 drinks for women / \> 14 drinks for men per week OR ≥ 3 drinks for women / ≥4 drinks for men on one occasion in the past month. * Have a smartphone * Considered low active: 150 minutes or less of average weekly physical activity * Lives in the USA * Has a U.S. mailing address Exclusion Criteria: * History of bipolar, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or mania per self report. * History of withdrawal-related seizures or delirium tremens per self report. * Current non-pharmacological treatment for alcohol use disorder. * Unable to provide one or more individuals for follow up contact. * Current DSM-5 diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia nervosa per self report. * Marked organic impairment according to responses to the diagnostic assessments * Physical or medical problems that would not allow safe participation in a program of moderate intensity PA * Individual who is unwilling to provide their sex at birth * Limited or non-readers

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in steps per day at 6-month follow up

Timeframe: 6 months

Change in number of alcohol drinks consumed per week

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05505942

SponsorBoston University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07

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