Spirituality-based interventions in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Interventions rooted in spirituality have shown a beneficial impact on patients facing serious illnesses and undergoing prolonged therapies, such as those with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. Despite this, few studies have explored the effects of such interventions on the health outcomes of hemodialysis patients with renal failure.

Purpose: To assess the impact of spiritual interventions or therapies on the health outcomes of patients with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis.

Method: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. The review was conducted using 8 databases—Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, ProQuest, PsycInfo, and Taylor & Francis Online. The review focused on 16 articles comprising Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies, which were evaluated for bias risk using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) form.

Results: Spiritual interventions, including spiritual counseling, dhikr interventions, listening to Qur'anic recitation, prayer, spiritual therapy, spiritual training, and Islamic music therapy, have been identified as effective in reducing both physical and psychological distress among hemodialysis patients.

Conclusion: Implementing spirituality-based interventions shows promise in alleviating distress among patients undergoing hemodialysis.