title: Stimulating active coping in patients with rheumatic diseases: a systematic review of controlled group intervention studies.
abstract: Teaching patients with rheumatic diseases to cope actively with their problems may increase the social support they receive and, also, the quality of their lives. In this paper, a systematic review of coping interventions for people with rheumatic diseases is described. Fourteen controlled trials were selected. Effects on quality of life have been measured in 13 studies of which 6 found positive effects. Effects on social support have been found in one of four studies investigating this variable. Coping has been measured in three studies with effects found on active coping in one study. There is a need for well-designed research on the effects of active coping in people with rheumatic diseases, as this may open new perspectives in patient education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Promotion, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. m.savelkoul@nizw.nl
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savelkoul
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Witte
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Post
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome