THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Citation
Fw. Kraaimaat et al., THE EFFECT OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS, Behaviour research and therapy, 33(5), 1995, pp. 487-495
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Psychology
ISSN journal
00057967
Volume
33
Issue
5
Year of publication
1995
Pages
487 - 495
Database
ISI
SICI code
0005-7967(1995)33:5<487:TEOCTI>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
In order to examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) three patients groups were studied: a cognitive behavioral therapy group (CBT), an occupational therapy group (OT), and a waiting-list control group. The CBT received a comprehensive, 10-session treatment package that taught progressive relaxation, rational thinking and the differential use of pain coping strategies. CBT resulted in minor changes in pain coping behavior at posttreatment, while CBT and OT showed an increase of knowledge of RA. No therapeutic effects with regard to health status were demonstrated at posttreatment and at 6 months follow-up. Clinical and laboratory m easures of disease activity revealed progressive deterioration of the patients during the course of the study. It is suggested that the inef fectiveness of CBT might be due to the progressive course of RA in the patients studied, as well as to the rather small changes in coping be havior.