The Effects of a Supervised Exercise Program on Self Efficacy of People Living With HIV/AIDS.

With combination antiretroviral therapy, HIV has become a chronic, manageable medical condition. Medication adherence is now a critical determinant of patient outcomes. Quality of life (QOL) rather than just survival has also become an important consideration in HIV management strategies. The role of non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise to enhance self efficacy (which correlates with adherence) and QOL among people with HIV requires formal investigation.

We evaluated the impact of a supervised exercise program (SEP) on self-efficacy among people with HIV in a 24 week, randomised controlled trial of participation in a SEP with combined aerobic and resisted exercise (intervention) versus an individual walking program with monthly group forum (control). QOL and cardiovascular fitness were also evaluated as secondary endpoints. Twenty subjects were enrolled in each arm, and assessments were performed at baseline, 2 month and 6 months, including a Generic Self Efficacy Scale, 1 minute heart rate response post 3 minute step test, and a validated HIV-specific QOL survey.

Self efficacy and cardiovascular fitness improved in the intervention but not the control subjects over the study period (p<0.0001 for both). QOL also improved (8 out of 10 dimensions) in the intervention group but not in controls (0 out of 10 dimensions).

These data support the use of SEP as an important therapeutic intervention for people with HIV, with significant benefits to self efficacy, cardiovascular fitness and QOL over six months. Importantly, these benefits were not achieved through unsupervised exercise over the same period.