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

Res Nurs Health. 1998 Aug;21(4):315-26. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1098-240x(199808)21:4<315::aid-nur4>3.0.co;2-i.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / nursing*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / psychology*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Process
  • Tennessee
  • Women's Health*