PROGNOSTIC CRITERIA OF A COGNITIVE-BEHAVI ORAL GROUP-THERAPY FOR RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

The effectiveness of behavior therapy programs for the treatment of pa in of various origin can be regarded as proven. However, there is a ge neral lack of information about prognostic and indication criteria. Th ese questions were investigated by means of a controlled, cognitiv-beh avioral orientated clinical study on 79 patients with the certified di agnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. While our study was also able to prov e short-term effectiveness for all patients, some exhibited regressive effects during the six-month follow-up period. A lack of regular prac tice and the presence of neurotic disorders were responsible for this instability. Patients who already have neurotic disorders prior to art hritis should accordingly be given more intensive psychotherapy. In th is exceeding a standard-programm psychotherapy can be dealt with the d isease-related and other psychosocial problems and conflicts on an int egrative basis.