| Methods |
A 13 week Randomised Controlled Trial, with 6 month follow‐up.
Assessments were done at baseline, after 13 weeks and after 6 months.
Quality: 2/1/2/2 |
| Participants |
183 arthritis patients randomised, 15 withdrew after randomisation but before first meassurement. Analysis on 168 patients (56 CIG/56 MSCG/56 WLCG), including 104 RA patients (35/35/34). Inclusion: at least one chronic rheumatic disorder affecting the joints, disease duation > i yr, age: 35‐65 yr, higher than median score on loneliness, lack of social support, impact of rheumatic disease on functional health status in general or on social behaviour specifically. Exclusion: fybromyalgia.
Mean age: 51.95 yr (SD: 8.36), 75% female, disease duration: 154.66 months (SD: 127.07). |
| Interventions |
CIG: 10 sessions: 8 weekly sessions (2 hr, 10‐12 patients), 9th session 2 weeks later, 10th session 3 weeks thereafter; led by a therapist experienced in behavioral therapy assisted by a nurse or social worker; contents: teaching action‐directed coping and coping by seeking social support; problem‐solving techniques and exercises at home.
WLCG: usual care, after follow‐up control patients received an invitation for MSCG. |
| Outcomes |
Included: SIP‐disability (somatic autonomy, mobility control, mobility range), SIP‐psychological status (psychological autonomy and communication, emotional stability), SIP‐anxiety (psychological autonomy and communication), SIP‐depression (emotional stability), patient global assessment.
Others: Coping, social support, loneliness, quality of life. |
| Notes |
CIG = Coping intervention Group
MSCG = Mutual Support Control Group
WLCG = WAiting List Control Group
SIP = Sickness Impact Profile |
