Combined Effect of Conservation of Energy Resources Strategies and Hatha Yoga on the Fatigue Severity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults, and fatigue is one of its most common symptoms. This study aimed to determine the effect of combining conservation of energy resources strategies and Hatha yoga on fatigue severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out on all eligible patients with rheumatoid arthritis referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital and private clinics in Yasouj, Iran, in 2020-2021. Seventy-five patients were selected by convenience sampling method and then randomly assigned to three intervention groups (energy saving strategies, Hatha yoga, combined energy-saving strategy, and Hatha yoga). Data were collected through the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory questionnaire in three intervention groups in the first session before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 software through one-way analysis of variance. Findings: There was no significant difference in the mean score of fatigue severity between study groups before the intervention (p 0.05). A significant decrease was observed in the mean score of fatigue (p 0.001) in the combined methods of Hatha yoga and conservation of energy resources strategies (32.3±78.76) than Hatha Yoga (38.28±2.66) and conservation strategies of energy resources groups (42.52±3.83). Conclusion: Conservation of energy resources, Hatha yoga and a combination of conservation of energy resources, and Hatha yoga, improved fatigue severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the combined intervention was more effective than the other two methods.