Contemporary Nursing

Objective To explore the efficacy of skin care combined with functional exercise on skin function, joint mobility, and quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods A total of 100 patients with SSc admitted to our hospital from January 2024 to October 2025 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each consisting of 50 cases. The control group received routine treatment plus basic nursing, while the observation group received standardized skin care combined with personalized functional exercise. The intervention lasted for 6 months. The mRSS scores, joint range of motion, skin barrier indicators, and SF-36 scores before and after intervention in the two groups were compared. Results After intervention, the mRSS scores and transepidermal water loss in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, while the hand joint range of motion, 6-minute walking distance, stratum corneum water content, and all dimensions of the SF-36 score were superior to those in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion This combined intervention can alleviate skin hardening in patients with SSc, improve skin barrier function and joint function, and enhance quality of life, thus having significant clinical value.

Systemic sclerosis; Skin care; Functional exercise; Skin hardening; Joint function; Quality of life