Initial Validation of the HIV Treatment Regimen Fatigue Scale for Adults Prescribed Antiretroviral Therapy

Clinical observations have linked antiretroviral nonadherence to treatment regimen fatigue in persons living with HIV (PLWH). Although nonadherence appears to be a consequence of treatment regimen fatigue, little is known about the onset, course, and duration of this construct. Our study developed and evaluated psychometric properties of a measure of treatment regimen fatigue for PLWH. Based on a recent review, the concept was hypothesized to reflect decreased motivation, treatment cynicism, and low self-efficacy to adhere to treatment. Items comprising these factors were generated based on measures of similar constructs in the literature. Exploratory factor analyses suggested that a two-factor solution best fit the data and accounted for 35.8% of the variance. Our study supported a two-factor model of treatment regimen fatigue consisting of Treatment Cynicism and Self-Efficacy. The scale provides a new tool to assess treatment regimen fatigue in PLWH and can be used to inform and improve treatment of HIV.