The Effect of Group Spiritual Intervention Based on the Quran and Prayer on Spiritual Health of Patients with Cancer

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Education, Ashrafi Esfahani University AND Spiritual Care Provider, Entekhab Cancer Control Center, Isfahan, Iran

2 PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch AND Psychologist, Entekhab Cancer Control Center, Isfahan, Iran

3 PhD Candidate, Department of Islamic Education, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences AND Spiritual Care Provider, Entekhab Cancer Control Center, Isfahan, Iran

4 Psychologist, Entekhab Cancer Control Center, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Cancer causes emotional, psychological and spiritual problems. According to the spiritual needs of patients, in this study, we decided to explore the effect of Quran and prayer context on spiritual health of the patients with cancer.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, spiritual group therapy was conducted 3 times, during 2014, in Entekhab Cancer Control Center in Isfahan, Iran. Groups met on six sessions on 4 main communication axes (with God, with themselves, with others and with nature) with cognitive behavioral approach. Palutzian and Ellison spiritual health questionnaire, with 20 items and 2 subscales (existential and religious health) were completed by the patients before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired-t test at a significance level of P < 0.05; the survey was conducted on 12 patients.Findings: Before intervention, the mean score of the group's spiritual health was 59 and after it, changed to 77 (P = 0.01). The mean changes in religious spiritual health and existential spiritual health were 10.5 and 5, respectively. These changes were significant (P = 0.01 for both); although, the changes were less in existential spiritual health. The survey showed that attitude to pray, feeling calm, and the power of the God was changed.Conclusion: The efficacy of spiritual interventions has been shown in many studies. In this study, using the themes of prayer, spiritual well-being improved. According to the results, it is better to respond to the existential needs of the patients. 

Keywords

References

  1. Yanez B, Thompson EH, Stanton AL. Quality of life among Latina breast cancer patients: a systematic review of the literature. J Cancer Surviv 2011; 5(2): 191-207.
  2. Valeberg BT, Grov EK. Symptoms in the cancer patient: of importance for their caregivers' quality of life and mental health? Eur J Oncol Nurs 2013; 17(1): 46-51.
  3. Akechi T, Hirai K, Motooka H, Shiozaki M, Chen J, Momino K, et al. Problem-solving therapy for psychological distress in Japanese cancer patients: preliminary clinical experience from psychiatric consultations. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2008; 38(12): 867-70.
  4. Rezaei M, Seyed Fatemi N, Givari A, Hoseini F. Relation between prayer activity and spiritual well-being in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Iran Journal of Nursing 2008; 20(52): 51-61. [In Persian].
  5. Lotfi-Kashani F, Vaziri SH, Arjmand S. Spiritual intervention effectiveness in reducing distress in mothers of children with cancer. Journal of Medical Ethics 2010; 6(20): 173-86. [In Persian].
  6. Breitbart W. Spirituality and meaning in supportive care: spirituality- and meaning-centered group psychotherapy interventions in advanced cancer. Support Care Cancer 2002; 10(4): 272-80.
  7. Ahmadi Faraz M. Sahife Sajadieh with references to mental health. Qom, Iran: Maaref Publication; 2013. [In Persian].
  8. Azarbaijani M. Social psychology with the attitude of Islamic texts. Tehran, Iran: Samt Publication; 2008. [In Persian].
  9. 87 Verse, Surah Yusuf, Holy Quran.
  10. Glasser W, Zunin L. Reality therapy. Current Psychiatric Therapies 1972; 12: 58-61.
  11. Hawton K. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychiatric problems: a practical guide. 2nd ed. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; 1989. p. 456.
  12. Free ML. Cognitive Therapy in Groups: Guidelines and Resources for Practice. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2007. p. 381.
  13. Bolhari J. Institutionalization of spirituality in the concept of spiritual health. Med Ethics 2010; 4(14): 105-12. [In Persian].
  14. Rastegari A, Farhangi AA. Formulating incentive model based on staff's spirituality. Daneshvar Med 2006; 13(20): 1-24. [In Persian].
  15. Delaney C, Barrere C, Helming M. The influence of a spirituality-based intervention on quality of life, depression, and anxiety in community-dwelling adults with cardiovascular disease: a pilot study. J Holist Nurs 2011; 29(1): 21-32.
  16. Ikedo F, Gangahar DM, Quader MA, Smith LM. The effects of prayer, relaxation technique during general anesthesia on recovery outcomes following cardiac surgery. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2007; 13(2): 85-94.
  17. Wachholtz AB, Pargament KI. Is spirituality a critical ingredient of meditation? Comparing the effects of spiritual meditation, secular meditation, and relaxation on spiritual, psychological, cardiac, and pain outcomes. J Behav Med 2005; 28(4): 369-84.
  18. Walton J, Sullivan N. Men of prayer: spirituality of men with prostate cancer: a grounded theory study. J Holist Nurs 2004; 22(2): 133-51.
  19. Etefagh L, Azma K, Jahangir A. Prayer therapy: using verses of Fatiha alKitab, Qadr and Towhid surahs on patients suffering from Tunnel Karp syndrome nterdisciplinary. Interdisciplinary Journal of Research of the Qur'an 2013; 1(2): 27-31. [In Persian].
  20. Gholami A, Beshlideh K. The effect of spiritual therapy on mental health of divorced women. Journal of Family Counseling and Psychotherapy 2011; 1(3): 331-48. [In Persian].
Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 32, Issue 320 - Serial Number 320
November and December 2015
Pages 2454-2463

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 19 March 2015
  • Revise Date: 02 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics