Illness representations in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and the willingness to undergo acupuncture treatment

Aim of the studyThe aim of this study is to establish whether the willingness to undergo acupuncture treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with illness representations, movement limitations, and pain.Materials and methodsParticipants in this observational study were 88 female patients with RA (mean age = 57, SD = 13.9). The Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index and Pain Scale (HAQ-DI), and The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) were the outcome measures used in the study.ResultsSignificant predictors of the willingness to use acupuncture were age and two elements of illness representations: personal control, and treatment control. Neither the intensity of pain nor the functional disability was a predictor of the willingness to undergo acupuncture treatment.ConclusionsMaking a decision concerning acupuncture treatment is more influenced by illness representations than by the aggregation of illness symptoms. IR is a very important structure determining the behaviour of the patient during the illness.