Cognitive-behavioral Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

To evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive-behavioral treatment for people with rheumatoid arthritis

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosed by rheumatology consultants with RA

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe psychological difficulties
• currently receiving mental health care
• any medical condition that might prevent them from safely exercising (e.g. history of more severe heart, lung or cerebrovascular disease)
• previously attended an education programme
• had a Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire score >2 (score range 0-3), that is severe functional problems
• history of organic brain syndrome
• presence of a psychotic disorder
• presence of other uncontrolled medical disorders
• presence of a major communication disorder, illiteracy
• presence of less than an 8th grade education (due to inability to complete questionnaires)
• presence of a therapeutic dosage of an antidepressant medication, or presence of another autoimmune disease/disabling condition