PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: EFFECTS ON QUALITY OF LIFE

INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune diseases constitute a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by an aberrant immune response, where the immune system targets the body’s own tissues, resulting in inflammation and damage across various organs and systems. These pathologies significantly impact patients' quality of life, making symptom management and functional enhancement critical. Physiotherapeutic interventions have emerged as an effective strategy for symptom control and quality of life improvement in these patients. OBJECTIVE: Investigate through current literature the action of physiotherapy in patients with autoimmune diseases. METHODOLOGY: Literature review using the main databases. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study showed that physiotherapeutic interventions, such as muscle strengthening and stretching, improve the quality of life of patients with autoimmune diseases. There was a significant reduction in symptoms such as pain and fatigue, in addition to less need for medication, highlighting the importance of physiotherapy as a complement to treatment. CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy interventions play an essential role in the management of autoimmune diseases, providing symptom relief, improving physical function and quality of life. Integration of these interventions into standard healthcare is critical to the effective treatment and rehabilitation of patients with these conditions.