Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Bay Area Reporter - July 23, 1999
Cynthia Laird
Dr. Jeff Leiphart, Shanti's director of client services, said the program is based on hundreds of published medical research studies, primarily in the field of psycho-neuro-immunology (PNI), which shows that certain psychological issues, including but not limited to stress, can affect the immune system in both positive and negative ways. This can significantly regulate HIV symptom onset, rate of disease progression, and survival time.
Lately the media have increased coverage of stress and its effects on health: Newsweek magazine devoted a cover story to stress last month, including how it accelerates disease; and the Bay Area Reporter ran an article in late May about a new study by University of North Carolina scientists that showed men with HIV will progress much more quickly to AIDS if they are stressed and have little social support.
In a study spanning five-and-one-half years, passage to AIDS status was two to three times higher for HIV-infected men with more than average stress or with less than average support from their family or friends. "This is perhaps among the most compelling evidence to date linking psychosocial variables with HIV progression," said Jane Leserman, lead author of the study and research associate professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine.
The L.I.F.E. Program has identified 19 different psycho-social co-factors that can affect immunity and disease progression. Program participants learn to self-assess on these 19 co-factors, and to develop and implement remedial strategies with their trained peer or mental health counselor. In San Diego, 51 program cycles have been completed with approximately 800 people with HIV/AIDS finishing the program.
The L.I.F.E. Program has received considerable national and international attention, including three documentary films, articles in POZ magazine, articles in major health and AIDS journals, and public presentations at conferences in the U.S. and other countries. The program is operated by the nonprofit L.I.F.E. Foundation, which has a board of directors and advisory panel.
Phases of de-stressing
In an effort to give Bay Area residents more information, Shanti will host a community meeting on the L.I.F.E. Program this Wednesday, July 28. "It's free and offered to any HIV-positive person," Leiphart told the B.A.R. L.I.F.E. Program Manager Dr. Chad Hybarger will join Leiphart at the meeting.
The first phase of the program consists of 16 weekly sessions over four months, beginning Wednesday, August 4. During the first phase, participants learn concepts and the latest research of mind-body connections. Clients will also assess and rate themselves on the 19 different co-factors.
Phase two involves more individual work, with people evaluating themselves, Leiphart said. This part of the program lasts three months, and includes individual counseling that helps participants develop and implement the plans they identified in phase one. Typically, people go through the first phase and some feel confident about their lives and choose not to continue with phase two, Leiphart said. "The remaining percentage dig in for phase two," he added.
Leiphart said that independently conducted program evaluation research demonstrates that the L.I.F.E. Program is effective at improving psychological functioning, increasing immune system functioning, and reducing HIV symptoms, particularly gastro-intestinal symptoms.
"The L.I.F.E. Program in no way subscribes to the [belief] that HIV is irrelevant, but we now know clearly that the immune system is linked to all kinds of psychological factors," Leiphart said.
Shanti provides emotional and practical support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
The July 28 community meeting runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the fourth floor conference room at Shanti, located at 730 Polk Street; a light dinner will be provided For more information about the program, call Dr. Jeff Leiphart at (415) 674-4761.
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