Participant experiences of stopping ART as part of a clinical trial; findings from a qualitative study within the RIO trial in the United Kingdom

Evaluation of the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at achieving durable antiretroviral treatment (ART)-free control within a clinical trial relies on analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs). ATIs involve stopping ART to assess post-intervention efficacy with frequent viral load monitoring. These trials rely on participant commitment but also involve uncertainty about the timing and experience of viral rebound, transmission risk, and impacts on personal and sexual relationships. Understanding participants' lived experiences is critical to participant involvement and retention and to designing ATI studies that are ethical, feasible, and acceptable.