This study examines the current research regarding several rehabilitation issues associated with lupus erythematosus. The examined issues include: psychological and psychosocial problems (e.g., depression, lowering of self-esteem, cosmetic effects, feelings of powerlessness) confronting people with the condition and strategies for solving and resolving these; problems associated with medication; the differential effects of lupus; vocational issues; standard medical therapies and alternative strategies; and general life management problems. The next section examines the condition and the unique issues it presents for special groups such as women and minorities. The final section of the review presents a general summary of the main findings of the reviewed research.
Psychological and Psychosocial Problems
In his discussion of lupus erythematosus, Iverson (1995) reported that the debilitating and unpredictable nature of the illness, causes considerable psychological distress in patients, and states that one of the primary goals of the rehabilitation counselor is to facilitate an individual's optimal adjustment to the disease and its limitations both at the personal and community level. The question that can be asked here is what services and interventions have been shown to be effective rehabilitation sources?
Surprisingly, some authors have suggested that one of the best intervention may be non-psychological, namely the use of an exercise program. In this regard, Daltroy, Robb-Nicholson, Iversen, Wright and Liang (1995) stated that one of the reasons that patients often have psychological and/or psychosocial difficulties associated with lupus has to do with the fact that the condition creates extreme fatigue and weakness. These plus other symptoms are said to combine and lead to patient depression and/or feelings of powerlessness. The authors speculated that a prescribed exercise intervention may help to both physically ...