Intercessory Prayer on Spiritual Distress, Spiritual Coping, Anxiety, Depression and Salivary Amylase in Breast Cancer Patients During Radiotherapy: Randomized Clinical Trial

J Relig Health. 2020 Feb;59(1):365-380. doi: 10.1007/s10943-019-00827-5.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of intercessory prayer in the psychological, spiritual and biological scores of breast cancer patients who are undergoing radiotherapy. Double-blind RCT comprising a sample of 31 participants (15 in the Control Group and 16 in the Intervention Group). Data collection was performed in three time points (T0, T1 and T2). Significant changes have been identified in the intra-group analysis, concerning the decrease in spiritual distress score; negative religious/spiritual coping prevailed, while the total religious/spiritual coping increased between the posttest T2 to T0. Intercessory prayer was effective in religious and spiritual scores.

Keywords: Breast neoplasm; Faith healing; Nursing; Radiotherapy; Spirituality.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Amylases / metabolism*
  • Anxiety
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Faith Healing / psychology*
  • Faith Healing / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Quality of Life
  • Religion and Medicine
  • Spiritual Therapies / methods
  • Spiritual Therapies / psychology
  • Spirituality*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Amylases

Grants and funding