BMC Cardiovascular Disorders (Aug 2024)

The effects of nurse-led spiritual care on psychological well-being in the healthcare services of patients with cardiovascular diseases in Iran: a systematic review

  • Seyedeh Narjes Mousavizadeh,
  • Mohammadamin Jandaghian-Bidgoli

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-024-04076-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) significantly impacts patients’ lives, affecting not only their physical health but also their spiritual well-being. While holistic care acknowledges the importance of addressing spiritual needs, the integration of nurse-led spiritual care within CVD management remains understudied. Objectives This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of spiritual and psychological interventions in enhancing quality of life and reducing anxiety among CVD patients. Methods Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SID, Magiran, and Web of Science) for relevant articles published in English and Persian between 2013 and 2023. The risk of bias in included experimental and quasi-experimental studies was assessed using ROB 2 and ROBINS-I scales. Results The initial search yielded 1416 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, along with qualitative evaluation, 15 studies with a total of 1035 participants were selected for review. These studies explored the impact of spiritual interventions (e.g., healthy heart model, emotion-oriented approach, communication with a higher power, acceptance, and relationship improvement) on anxiety, stress, life expectancy, depression, blood parameters, spiritual experiences, pain, and negative emotions in CVD patients. All reviewed studies reported positive outcomes with spiritual interventions, demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, pain, stress, and negative emotions, while also improving quality of life and possibly life expectancy. Conclusion Integrating spiritual care into routine care for CVD patients presents a promising approach to improve their overall well-being. This review highlights the effectiveness of spiritual interventions in reducing various negative emotions and enhancing quality of life. Trial registration PROSPERO (CRD42023448687).

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