Effects of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for women with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral nursing intervention for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ninety adult women with RA participated in 1 of 14 nurse-led groups over an 18-month period. Personal coping resources, pain-coping behaviors, psychological well-being, and disease symptomatology were measured at four time periods. There were significant changes on all of the measures of personal coping resources (p < .001) and psychological well-being (p < .05), half of the pain-coping behaviors (p < .05), and one indicator of disease symptomatology (fatigue, p < .05) from pre- to postintervention. Furthermore, the positive changes brought about by the program were maintained over the 3-month follow-up period. The intervention may be adapted to benefit individuals with a variety of stressful medical conditions.

Self‐Efficacy as an Outcome Measure and its Association with Physical Disease‐Related Variables in Persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Literature Review

“…In a quasi‐experimental study, a cognitive‐behavioural nursing intervention in small groups of women with RA showed a positive impact on PSE and OSE scores, with effect sizes of 0.41–0.69, and the effect was maintained at the three‐month follow‐up. The participants' fatigue and pain decreased in the same period (Sinclair et al, ).…”

Psychological Vulnerability Predicts Increases in Depressive Symptoms in Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…The PVS has demonstrated sensitivity to change related to a cognitive-behavioral intervention to address harmful cognitive patterns and beliefs in a sample of women with RA (Sinclair & Wallston, 1999;Sinclair, Wallston, Dwyer, Blackburn, & Fuchs, 1998). In that study, the mean PVS score did not change significantly over a 6-week preintervention period or a q Note.…”

EULAR recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis

“…It has been shown that cognitive–behavioural interventions provided by a nurse can statistically significantly improve the emotional well-being in patients with RA 45. Moreover, quality of life was comparable between patients receiving either nurse-led or multidisciplinary team care 30 31 39.…”

“…Patients reviewed by a clinical nurse specialist in a drug-monitoring clinic perceived clinically relevant increased perception of control 11. After a cognitive–behavioural intervention provided by nurses, patients demonstrated a statistically significant increase in personal coping resources, such as competency beliefs and decrease of helplessness 45. Nurse-led management, information and support have been shown to increase self-efficacy beliefs and self-reliance of patients49 50 as well as to contribute to patient empowerment 50–52…”