Vancampfort, DavyByansi, PeterNamutebi, HildaNalukenge, LillianKinyanda, EugeneBbosa, Richard SerunkumaWard, Philip B.Lukwata, HafsaMugisha, James2022-01-242022-01-242019-07-08Vancampfort, Davy...et al (2019). The efficacy of physical activity counseling in Ugandan patients with HIV and a co-morbid mental disorder: a pilot study.Taylor and Francis: AIDS Care Psychological and Socio-medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2019.1640853.https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2019.1640853https://kyuspace.kyu.ac.ug/xmlui/handle/20.500.12504/287758-761 p.This study explored the efficacy of physical activity (PA) counseling in inactive patients with HIV/AIDS and a co-morbid mental health disorder living in a Ugandan fishing community. We investigated associations between changes in PA, sedentary behavior, mental health burden and quality of life (QoL) following an 8-week once per week PA counseling program using the self-determination theory and motivational interviewing framework. In total 41 (33 women) patients (39.8 ± 10.9years) completed the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Large effect sizes were found for reductions in time spent sedentary (Cohen’s d = 2.85) and reductions in depressive symptoms (Cohen’s d = 1.47). We also found large effect sizes for increases in time spent walking (Cohen’s d = 1.38), in incidental PA such as household chores (Cohen’s d = 1.69), and physical health (Cohen’s d = 1.38), psychological health (Cohen’s d = 0.95), and social relationships. (Cohen’s d = 1.39). The more time spent sedentary decreased, the more the psychological health increased (r = −0.33, P = 0.037). In sedentary patients with HIV/AIDS and a co-morbid mental disorder, the mental health burden reduces and QoL improves following PA counseling. Controlled studies are however needed to confirm our findings.enPhysical activitySedentary behaviorDepressionAlcoholQuality of life.Article