The investigator is testing a virtual environment to address prevention of HIV-related comorbidities.
The primary aims of this study are to test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a VE to address prevention of HIV-related comorbidities. A waitlist control feasibility clinical trial will be conducted. We will assign (N=80) eligible participants and ensure balanced allocation to intervention and control groups over the intervention period. We hypothesize that the VE will be feasible and acceptable to persons living with HIV, and that they will apply their VE learning to real-life situations and health behaviors for prevention of HIV-related comorbidities.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
78
To address the primary outcomes of feasibility and acceptability of the VE, we will capture process data using a computer-based virtual environment and self-report measures using an online survey.
Yale University
Orange, Connecticut, United States
Acceptability/Feasibility {change over 3 timepoints}
Based on Technology Acceptance Model, using the same unit of measure, we will examine Perceived Usefulness (Cronbach's alpha 0.98) and Perceived Ease of Use (Cronbach's alpha 0.94) with an online 7-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6
Cardiovascular health {change over 3 timepoints}
Life's Simple 7, based on 7 modifiable health behaviors, provides scores (range, 0 to 14) based on smoking, diet, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting glucose. This study will only measure 4 out of the 7: smoking, diet, physical activity, and BMI.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6
Physical Activity {change over 3 timepoints}
International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form will assess intensity of physical activity and sitting time using a 7-item, open-ended measure. Cronbach's alpha 0.80.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6
Tobacco and E-cigarette use {change over 3 timepoints}
BRFSS - self report measure questions that pertain to Tobacco use and E-cigarette use (7 questions). kappa statistic 0.81-0.92.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6
Food consumption {change over 3 timepoints}
Food Frequency Questionnaire - Reports how frequently individuals consume foods in 16 categories. Multifactor Screener has demonstrated correlations of 0.5-0.8 with estimated true intake.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6
Psychosocial wellbeing {change over 3 timepoints}
Patient Health Questionnaire-9. PHQ-9 is a 9-item validated questionnaire used to screen for depression with a range of scores from 0-45. A cumulative score of ≥10 is considered positive with lower scores indicating no or mild anxiety.
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Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6
Illness Perceptions {change over 3 timepoints}
The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire measures illness perceptions about hypertension and type 2 diabetes on a 5-point Likert scale ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree").
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3 & 6