The impact of spiritual care on the psychological health and quality of life of adults with heart failure: a systematic review of randomized trials

Abstract

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) brings not only physical pain but also psychological distress. This systematic review investigated the influence of spiritual care on the psychological well-being and quality of life in adults with HF.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines, searching seven electronic databases for relevant randomized controlled studies without language or temporal restrictions. The studies were assessed for quality using the Cochrane Bias Risk tool.ResultsA total of 13 studies (882 participants) were reviewed, investigating interventions such as religion, meditation, mental health, cognitive interventions, and spiritual support. Key factors influencing the effectiveness of spiritual care implementation included integration into routine care, respect for diversity, patient engagement, intervention quality, and alignment with patient beliefs. The majority of the studies indicated that spiritual care has a potentially beneficial impact on the mental health and quality of life of patients with HF.ConclusionThe findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of adopting a spiritual care approach to healthcare for this population.