CASE STUDY : APPLICATION OF RED GINGER WARM COMPRESS THERAPY FOR ACUTE PAIN MANAGEMENT IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background : Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. It can involve multiple joints, particularly those in the hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly associated with joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, reduced physical activity, structural damage, and poor quality of life. One non-pharmacological method to reduce pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients is the application of red ginger warm compress therapy. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of red ginger warm compress therapy in reducing pain among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Case Study Method:This research employed a descriptive qualitative design using a case study approach involving two respondents diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis experiencing acute pain. Data were collected through observation sheets, structured interviews, and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to measure pain intensity. Results: After applying red ginger warm compress therapy for seven consecutive days, a decrease in pain intensity was observed in both patients. In patient one, the pain score decreased from 5 (moderate pain) to 2 (mild pain), while in patient two, the pain score decreased from 6 (moderate pain) to 3 (mild pain). Conclusion and Recommendation: The application of red ginger warm compress therapy effectively reduced pain among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is recommended that this therapy be continuously applied as a complementary intervention to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain