Mobile Health Technology for Improving Symptom Management in Low Income Persons Living with HIV

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are living longer but experiencing more adverse symptoms associated with the disease and its treatment. This study aimed to examine the impact of a mHealth application (app) comprised of evidence-based self-care strategies on the symptom experience of PLWH. We conducted a 12-week feasibility study with 80 PLWH who were randomized (1:1) to a mHealth app, mobile Video Information Provider (mVIP), with self-care strategies for improving 13 commonly experienced symptoms in PLWH or to a control app. Intervention group participants showed a significantly greater improvement than the control group in 5 symptoms: anxiety (p=0.001), depression (p=0.001), neuropathy (p=0.002), fever/chills/sweat (p=0.037), and weight loss/wasting (p=0.020). Participants in the intervention group showed greater improvement in adherence to their antiretroviral medications (p=0.017) as compared to those in the control group. In this 12-week trial, mVIP was associated with improved symptom burden and increased medication adherence in PLWH.