ABSTRACT
objective To explore the effect of application of cluster-based strategies on preventing the complication of fibrosclerosis of patients with systemic scleroderma.Methods A total of 59 patients with systemic scleroderma were randomly assigned to the experimental group (34 cases) and the control group (25 cases) during the period of hospitalization in our department.The experimental group took the cluster-based strategies after admission,including a gymnastics,two kinds of respiratory breathing,three kinds of habits,four kinds of protection to prevent the complication of fibrosclerosis.The control group received the conventional care procedures of dermatology.The skin stiffness,joint function,Raynaud's phenomenon and swallowing function were evaluated when patients were admitted and before discharge in two groups.The length of stay between the two groups was also compared.Results The skin stiffness,joint function,Raynaud's phenomenon and swallowing function scored (14.74±1.33),(7.06±0.69),(0.88±0.33),(0.54±0.21) in the experimental group,significantly better than those of the control group,(24.08±1.12),(13.48±0.77),(1.24±0.60),(0.96±0.34),P ＜ 0.01.The length of stay in the experimental group and the control group was (23.65±5.45),(32.00±6.56) days,t=-5.340,P ＜ 0.01.Conclusions Application of cluster-based strategies can be effective against the fibrosclerosis damage of patients with systemic scleroderma and reduce the occurrence of complications.