Influence of spiritual interventions on the most lethal chronic non-communicable diseases: a scoping review

Duarte, Rilvane de Carvalho; Peixoto, Ariani Cavalcante; Ferreira, Ana Carolina Rocha Gomes; Bandini, Carmen Silvia Motta

doi:10.1590/1413-81232025309.18872023

REVIEW ARTICLE • Ciênc. saúde coletiva 30 (9) • Sept 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232025309.18872023EN linkcopy

Influence of spiritual interventions on the most lethal chronic non-communicable diseases: a scoping review

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

The aim is to identify and map studies on spiritual interventions in individuals with, or undergoing prevention of, more lethal chronic non-communicable diseases. A scoping review following the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews was conducted in search of studies published from 2000 onwards on the influence of spiritual interventions on chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancer. Of the 1,564 studies identified, 26 experimental or quasi-experimental studies published between 2000 and 2022 were eligible, covering eight modalities of spiritual intervention and a total population of 3,103 participants. The influence of spirituality on cardiovascular diseases was addressed in 16.0% of those studies; on diabetes mellitus, in 11.5%; and on cancer, in 73.0%. No results were found relating to respiratory diseases. Spiritual care was found to have positive effects on the physical, mental, and spiritual health of individuals with chronic illnesses. It is suggested that specific modalities of intervention be studied for associations with participants’ spirituality; this important object of investigation may afford the possibility of enhancing gains by these interventions.

Key words:
Chronic disease; Spirituality; Religion; Prevention; Health

Data base	Search Strategy
PubMed	ALLINTITLE: (spirituality OR religiosity OR religion) AND (“non_communicable chronic diseases” OR neoplasms OR “diabetes Mellitus” OR “respiratory tract diseases” OR “cardiovascular diseases”)
SciELO	ALLINTITLE: (espiritualidade OR religiosidade OR religião) AND (“doença crônica” OR câncer OR neoplasias OR “diabetes mellitus” OR cardiopatias OR “doenças respiratórias”)
VHL Regional Portal	ALLINTITLE: (spirituality OR religiosity OR religion) AND (“non_communicable chronic diseases” OR neoplasms OR “diabetes Mellitus” OR “respiratory tract diseases” OR “cardiovascular diseases”)

Spiritual interventions	General description of interventions	Main findings (aspects of health improved)	CDI	Authors, Year
Spiritist laying on of hands	Sessions of "laying on of hands" for 20 mins, once a day, for 7 days running	Anxiety, depression, pain, muscular tension, wellbeing, satisfaction with life and connection with transcendent dimension	CD	Carneiro et al., 2017¹⁹
Prayer	Intercessional; Centring; Group; Recitation of the Serenity Prayer	Quality of life	DM	Sabouhi et al., 2021²⁰
		Efficiency of myocardial mechanisms; quality of conjugal relations	CD	May et al., 2020²¹
		Spiritual anguish	CA	Miranda et al., 2020²²
		Anxiety, arterial pressure and respiratory rate	CA	Carvalho et al., 2014²³
		Quality of life	CA	Jafari et al., 2013²⁴
		Understanding and control of the disease	DM	Sacco et al., 2011²⁵
		Quality of life, spiritual and emotional wellbeing	CA	Johnson et al., 2009²⁶
		Cardiovascular health (lowered risk factors and improved harmful habits); return to monitoring	CDs	Yanek et al., 2001²⁷
Readings	Holy scriptures; religious texts	Quality of life	CDs	Sabouhi et al, 2021²⁰
		Awareness raising on the disease	CA	Holt et al., 2012²⁸
		Knowledge and self-efficacy for decision making on diagnostic screening	CA	Holt et al., 2009²⁹
		Cardiovascular health (lowered risk factors and improved harmful habits); return to monitoring	CD	Yanek et al., 2001²⁷
Writing	Religious topics associated with deep feelings	Anxiety, depression, coping, quality of life and disease-related symptoms	CA	Narayanan et al., 2020³⁰
Musicalisation	Gospel music; dance of praise and worship	Cardiovascular health (lowered risk factors and improved harmful habits); return to monitoring	CD	Yanek et al., 2001²⁷
Spiritual Care booklet	Healthy heart model of spiritual care; religious topics and biblical scriptures	Spiritual health	CD	Babamohamadi et al., 2020³¹
Spiritual Care booklet		Lowering of barriers to mammogram and increased knowledge of cancer and mammogram	CA	Holt and Klem, 2005³²
Spiritual reflection	Elements of faith and spirituality; Counselling; Informed decision making; Integration with educational materials	Hopefulness	CA	Khezri et al., 2022³⁴
		Hopefulness, spiritual wellbeing and fatigue levels	CA	Afrasiabifar et al., 2021³³
		Spiritual wellbeing	CA	Sajadi et al., 2018³⁵
		Depression, anxiety, stress and quality of care (of caregivers)	CA	Borjalilu et al., 2016³⁶
		Lower body weight, maintained over 12 months; lower fasting plasma glucose; efficiency in preventing the disease	DM	Sattin, 2016³⁸
		Quality of life, self-esteem and wellbeing	CA	Elias et al., 2015³⁷
		Anxiety, depression, quality of life and spirituality	CA	Lyon et al., 2014⁴⁰
		Spiritual wellbeing, quality of life	CA	Nakau et al., 2013⁴¹
		Quality of life	CA	Jafari et al., 2013²⁴
		Lower body weight	DM	Djuric et al., 2009⁴²
		Knowledge and self-efficacy for decision making on diagnostic screening	CA	Holt et al., 2009²⁹
		Awareness raising on the disease	CA	Holt et al., 2008³⁹
Meditation	Transcendental; Concentration method	Quality of life	DM	Sabouhi et al., 2021²⁰
		Quality of life	CA	Jafari et al., 2013²⁴
		Quality of life, spiritual and emotional wellbeing	CA	Johnson et al., 2009²⁶
Spiritual assessment	Spiritual pain; Religiosity; Spirituality	Anxiety, depression, coping, quality of life and disease-related symptoms	CA	Narayanan et al., 2020³⁰
Spiritual assessment	Spiritual pain; Religiosity; Spirituality	Spiritual pain and wellbeing	CA	Ichihara et al., 2019⁴³

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