Psychosocial-spiritual interventions among Muslims undergoing treatment for cancer: an integrative review

Abstract

Background Cancer is a global disease that affects all populations, including Muslims. Psychological and spiritual care of Muslim patients with cancer includes psychosocial and spiritual techniques that help to improve their mental health and spiritual well-being. Although these techniques are available to cancer patients worldwide, they are poorly studied among Muslim patients. This review aims to integrate the literature on the psychosocial-spiritual outcomes and perspectives of Muslim patients with cancer who have undergone psychotherapy. Method We used the Whittemore and Knafl five-step methodology. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using relevant keywords. Studies that focused on adult patients with cancer and on published evidence of using psychosocial and spiritual interventions among Muslim patients were included. Each study was reviewed, evaluated, and integrated. Results A systematic search produced 18 studies that were thematically analyzed. Results showed different psychosocial and spiritual approaches currently used to care for Muslim patients with cancer that target mainly patients’ mental health, quality of life, and spiritual well-being. Four major themes emerged: (1) Treating Psychological Distress Without Psychopharmacologic Agents, (2) Improving Knowledge of Cancer for Improving QOL, (3) Depending on Faith for Spiritual Well-being, and (4) Relying on Religious and Spiritual Sources: Letting Go, Letting God. Conclusions The rigor of psychosocial and spiritual studies that target psychosocial-spiritual outcomes of Muslim cancer patients needs to be improved to reach conclusive evidence about their efficacy in this population.

The influence of religious coping on family resilience in communicating and solving problems during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The results showed that religious coping was proven effective in increasing family resilience. This is in line with previous studies which state that positive religious coping protects against negative behaviour (31,32). Although the frequency of religious behaviour is related to anxiety about COVID-19, this anxiety is influenced by the background of religious beliefs and increased stress so individuals increase their prayer and religious meditation to manage their anxiety (33).…”

A thematic analysis of dimensions of spiritual care

“…[ 27 ] Training the patient and answering his questions. It is important to provide the patient with the necessary training and answer his questions on these issues: training about discharge and self-care (how to take care of oneself at home[ 34 ] and the discharge process[ 34 ]), answering questions about death and life after death,[ 64 ] answering questions about why I got sick,[ 64 ] talking about nature of the disease and the treatment process[ 8 32 45 46 53 73 ] reporting about the current situation to the patient,[ 39 ] talking about coping with the existing conditions (coping mechanism with the disease[ 49 ] and coping with the sense of loss[ 24 ]), encouraging healthy living (inhaling clean air,[ 59 ] avoiding the health risks,[ 63 ] maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene,[ 43 ] avoiding toxic substances such as cigarettes and alcohol,[ 43 ] and adhering to a vegetarian diet[ 43 ]), increasing the self-awareness (helping the patient to know himself and communicating with himself,[ 48 59 62 74 ] listening to the inner voice,[ 74 ] discussing the patient's values,[ 16 49 ] self-revealing values and spiritual experiences,[ 59 ] expressing concerns,[ 63 ] encouraging to co-ordinate with values,[ 33 ] accepting oneself and reconciling with oneself,[ 33 ] explaining his roles in life,[ 33 ] directing the patient toward self-actualization,[ 33 ] and the recognition of existential capacities),[ 17 49 ] talking about the goals of the patient in life,[ 49 ] increasing individual skills (problem-solving,[ 49 ] positive outlook,[ 62 ] reflect on his experiences,[ 24 ] decision-making,[ 24 ] adjust to the whole situations,[ 24 ] and find the strength to continue[ 24 ]), and providing information according to the patient's need. [ 36 ...…”

“…[ 43 ] Encouraging maintaining and developing social communications. To prevent the isolation of the patient, the following are recommended: Encouraging to communicate with relatives and friends[ 18 33 45 55 59 62 70 73 75 ] (connecting and strengthening the communications and relationships,[ 18 ] sharing thoughts and feelings,[ 31 ] and receiving support from others[ 55 ]), connecting and sharing experiences with other patients,[ 31 ] communicating with care providers,[ 24 ] cooperation and participation in social affairs,[ 31 ] attendance at the workplace,[ 8 ] and participating in spiritual activities. [ 31 ] Contact with other patients with similar illnesses?.…”

“…Helping the patient to achieve peace and relaxation. Patient's anxiety can relieve by strengthening the relationship with God (through reading the Qur'an,[ 22 49 59 78 ] praying and worshiping,[ 22 30 33 49 59 74 79 80 ] thanksgiving and gratitude,[ 30 47 59 74 80 ] sadaqah (voluntary charity),[ 59 ] promoting the relationship with the nature,[ 81 ] expressing attention and affection to others (affection and attention to wife and children,[ 59 ] optimism to surrounding people,[ 49 ] beneficence,[ 49 ] showing affection,[ 49 ] infaq (charity)[ 59 75 79 ]), overcoming the fears and concerns (doing relieving activities,[ 31 ] coping with sadness,[ 31 82 ] replacing fear with peace and confidence,[ 49 ] and facing new situation with calmness[ 24 ]), tawakkul (trusting in God's plan), tawassul (resorting to God) (relying on the endless power of God,[ 22 55 80 83 ] trusting in God and resorting to him,[ 42 49 56 73 ] and appealing to the imams),[ 40 42 ] encouraging forgiveness (forgiving oneself and others,[ 22 27 29 31 45 47 49 55 59 62 78 84 ] resolving old disputes and aggressions,[ 31 ] strengthening healthy and constructive outlooks,[ 10 22 …”

A potential rise of breast cancer risk in the UAE post-COVID-19 lockdown: A call for action

“…Spiritually based approaches have been shown to increase breast cancer prevention rates in Afro-American populations [ 36 ]. Although relevant studies from Muslim countries have not led to conclusive results to date [ 37 ], such an approach can be further studied during its application. In the same context, patients diagnosed during the pandemic can be invited to share their experiences given the documented potential of narrative communication in cancer prevention.…”