Özet:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a multi-systemic, autoimmune and chronic disease, characterized by inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis reduces the quality of life by causing pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, limitation of movement, difficulties in daily life, deterioration in social relations, and depression. Despite using pharmacological methods for management the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, there is no complete cure of the disease today. Patients frequently experience side effects such as toxicity, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, anemia or systemic infection due to used pharmacological treatment. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are applying to complementary and alternative medicine because of side effects of the treatment, incomplete treatment, and chronic pain and fatigue. Aromatherapy and reflexology that often preferred and commonly used among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and health care professionals cause positive effect on the management of patients’ pain and fatigue, and on increasing the quality of life. This review article was written to inform nurses about the use of aromatherapy and reflexology in rheumatoid arthritis.

Anahtar Kelimeler: