Review: group interventions may improve coping, quality of life, and social support in patients with arthritic conditions, but more research is needed
Q In patients with arthritic conditions, what are the effects of group interventions that teach active coping strategies?
METHODS
Data sources:
Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 4, 1999), Medline (1966 to August 2000), EMBASE/Excerpta Medica (1984 to August 2000), PsycINFO (1967 to August 2000), Social Sciences Citation Index (1995 to June 2000), Current Contents (1998 to August 2000), and several other bibliographic databases; bibliographies of relevant studies, research reports, conference proceedings, and dissertations; and experts.
Study selection and assessment:
randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised controlled trials in any language that examined interventions in patients, the majority of whom had chronic rheumatic disease affecting the joints; examined group interventions related to teaching patients active coping with problems in general (eg, stresses of daily life); included control groups that received standard medical care or placebo; and measured outcomes including ⩾1 of coping, social support, or quality of life. …
