Table 3.
Results of meta-analyses in Progressive Resistive (PRE) exercise and HIV systematic review: immunological and virological outcomes
| Outcomes | Sub-Group Comparison of Meta-Analysis | # of Individual Studies Included in Meta-Analysis | Number of Participants Included in Meta-Analysis | Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) | 95% Confidence Interval | P value of overall effect | I2 statistic (p value for heterogeneity) | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD4 count (cells/mm3) | PRE or combined PRE and aerobic exercise compared with no exercise | 8 studies (Dolan 2006 [37]; Farinatti 2010 [27]; Fitch 2012 [28]; Grinspoon 2000 [39]; Lox 1995 [40]; Perez-Moreno 2007 [31]; Rigsby 1992 [41]; Tiozzo 2011 [33]) |
195 | 63.95 cells/mm3,b | 12.42, 115.48 | 0.01a | 70% (p = 0.001) |
Significant increase in CD4 count among exercisers compared with non-exercisers. “Confidence interval indicates a positive trend towards an improvement in CD4 count among exercisers.” [12]. |
| Combined PRE and aerobic exercise compared with no exercise | 7 studies (Dolan 2006 [37]; Farinatti 2010 [27]; Fitch 2012 [28]; Grinspoon 2000 [39]; Perez-Moreno 2007 [31]; Rigsby 1992 [41]; Tiozzo 2011 [33]) |
173 | 57.82 cells/mm3 | −1.27, 116.91 | 0.06 | 74% (p < 0.0001) |
“No difference in change in CD4 count among exercisers compared with non-exercisers. Confidence interval indicates a positive trend towards an improvement in CD4 count among exercisers.” [12]. | |
| PRE (or combined PRE and aerobic exercise) and diet and/or nutrition counselling group compared with diet and/or nutrition counselling alone. | 3 studies (Balasubramanyam 2011 [26]; Ogalha 2011 [30]; Shevitz 2005 [43]) |
162 | 20.18 cells/mm3 | −21.49, 61.85 | 0.34 | 78% (p = 0.01) |
No difference in change in CD4 count among exercisers compared with non-exercisers. | |
| PRE (or combined PRE and aerobic exercise) and testosterone compared with testosterone alone | 2 studies (Grinspoon 2000 [39]; Sattler 1999 [42]) |
51 | −32.13 cells/mm3 | −56.96, −7.30 | 0.01a | 0% (p = 0.96) |
Significant decrease in CD4 count among exercisers taking testosterone compared with those taking testosterone only. | |
| Viral Load (log10 copies) | Combined PRE and aerobic exercise group compared with compared with no exercise | 4 studies (Dolan 2006 [37]; Fitch 2012 [28]; Grinspoon 2000 [39]; Tiozzo 2011 [33]) |
99 | 0.12 log10 copies | −0.23, 0.46 | 0.51 | 0% (p = 0.46) |
“No difference in change in viral load among exercisers compared with non-exercisers.” [12]. |
| PRE (or combined PRE and aerobic exercise) plus diet and/or nutrition compared with diet and/or nutrition only | 2 studies (Balasubramanyam 2011 [26]; Shevitz 2005 [43]) |
99 | 0.37 log10 copies | −1.43, 2.17 | 0.40 | 31% (p = 0.23) |
No difference in change in viral load among exercisers compared with non-exercisers. |
aIndicates statistical significance; bindicates potential clinically important improvement