Testing talk therapy for HIV patients with depression and anxiety

This trial examined whether a specially adapted form of cognitive behavioral therapy — a structured talk therapy that helps people change unhelpful thinking patterns — could work for people living with HIV who also struggle with depression or anxiety in Pakistan. The therapy was designed using local stories, examples, and materials that made sense for the community and for people with lower literacy levels. Researchers wanted to see if this approach was acceptable to patients and actually possible to deliver in real-world HIV clinics.

Many people living with HIV also experience depression and anxiety, which can make it harder for them to take their medications and stay healthy. This trial tested whether talk therapy adapted specifically for Pakistani culture and context could help address these mental health challenges alongside HIV treatment.