43 research outputs found
Mindfulness Meditation: An Interesting Opportunity for the Rheumatologist
Mindfulness meditation is a mental technique which cultivates attentional focus and stability by directing the mind to remain connected
to the present experience, moment by moment. Scientific literature in healthy subjects have correlated mindfulness training to improvements
in stress, anxiety and depressed mood. Moreover, basing on evidence we can state that mindfulness may have an important role in treating
somatic conditions such as psoriasis, cancer, HIV, infection, irritable bowel syndrome, heart disease, hypertension, lung disease, diabetes
mellitus, and chronic pain.
Although, researches specifically conducted on rheumatologic conditions are limited, some studies of the highest quality about
mindfulness interventions in chronic pain have been in patients with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatic
diseases, mindfulness meditation may have favourable effects on mental health, in particular on mood states and depression, and on different
aspects of physical condition, through a variety of pathways including reduced inflammation, decreased sympathetic activation and improved
neuroendocrine function.
Thus, Mindfulness meditation is a good opportunity for patients thanks to its safety and it may be a powerful tool that can help the
clinicians to manage the patient and improve the relationship between the patient and his illness and his bod
Rheumatologic rehabilitation: towards recommendations
Rheumatic patients are highly complex and often affected by chronic diseases. Rehabilitation is generally needed for proper management of the underlying disease. This article describes the characteristics of an effective rheumatologic rehabilitation, takes into account data published in international literature, suggests recommendations based on scientific evidence to develop a correct rehabilitation plan for rheumatic patients and proposes the basis to draw up guidelines in the field of rheumatologic rehabilitation