Effectiveness of spiritual and religious interventions in patients with cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 39325431 · doi:10.1037/hea0001415
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA guidelines evaluating the physiological, psychological, and spiritual effects of spiritual and religious interventions in patients with cardiovascular disease. Literature searches covered ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and CINAHL from January 1999 to December 2022. Analyses were performed using fixed- or random-effects models in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 4.
What was found
The systematic review included 15 RCTs (2,047 participants), with 12 studies pooled in the meta-analysis. Compared to control groups, spiritual and religious interventions significantly reduced heart rate (g = -0.287, 95% CI [-0.552, -0.021]), anxiety (g = -1.081, 95% CI [-1.364, -0.831]), and depression (g = -1.346, 95% CI [-1.965, -0.726]). They also significantly increased spiritual well-being (g = 0.692, 95% CI [0.459, 0.926]) and hope (g = 1.152, 95% CI [0.347, 1.956]).
Why it matters
These findings suggest that incorporating spiritual and religious practices into supportive cardiac care can yield meaningful improvements in emotional distress and autonomic markers like resting heart rate.
Limits
The total pooled sample size across the meta-analysis remains modest (12 studies pooled from 2,047 total participants across 15 identified studies). The abstract does not specify the exact nature or duration of the interventions, comparator conditions, specific CVD diagnoses included, risk of bias of the primary trials, or long-term clinical endpoints such as cardiovascular events or mortality.
Cited by
- supports Engaging in acts of faith, such as prayer and active rituals, provides positive health benefits.