Procedimentos de auto-sugestão no confronto com duas patologias reumáticas auto-imunes: artrite reumatóide e espondilite anquilosante

Abstract

Complementary to the medical treatment for self-immune rheumatology, the efficacy of a strategy of self-suggestion involving relaxation and reactive self-monitoring was applied during 12 weeks to 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 8 with ankylosing spondylitis for confronting symptoms of pain, fatigue and functional disability. For this aim, the intensity of prevailing symptoms, their perceived control, and the number and duration of the longest symptomatic episode were evaluated. Results indicate that this strategy provided an increasing perception of self-control over the prevailing symptoms and a decreasing of their intensity, frequency and duration.