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Lynn CD, Schell LM. Why religion and spirituality are important in human biological research. Am J Hum Biol 2024:e24106. [PMID: 38767192 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.24106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The study of human biology includes exploration of all the genetic and environmental influences on human variation and life history, including impacts of sociocultural and physical environments. Religious practice and spirituality may be one of these influences. There are more than 5.8 billion religiously affiliated adults and children, accounting for 84% of the world's 6.9 billion people. Furthermore, 70% of Americans consider themselves spiritual in some way, including 22% who do not consider themselves religious, and the numbers for Europe are lower but proportionally similar. Such a high rate of religious affiliation and spiritual belief suggests that religion and spirituality could be sociocultural influences on human variation, but human biologists have scarcely attended to their impacts, as indicated by the limited numbers of relevant articles in the two flagship human biology journals. In this article, we discuss why human biologists may have overlooked this important force for human variability and highlight foundational work from human biology and other disciplines that can give our colleagues directions forward. We review the impacts of religion and spirituality at population and individual levels and call for human biologists to attend to the many aspects of religion and spirituality that can impact human biology and are much more than simply influences of denominational affiliation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Lynn
- Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Lawrence M Schell
- Department of Anthropology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
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Dyball D, Bennett AN, Schofield S, Cullinan P, Boos CJ, Bull AM, Stevelink SA, Fear NT. The underlying mechanisms by which Post-Traumatic Growth is associated with cardiovascular health in male UK military personnel: The ADVANCE cohort study. J Health Psychol 2024:13591053241240196. [PMID: 38605584 DOI: 10.1177/13591053241240196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) is associated with good cardiovascular health, but the mechanisms of this are poorly understood. This cross-sectional analysis assessed whether factors of PTG (Appreciation of Life (AOL), New Possibilities (NP), Personal Strength (PS), Relating to Others (RTO) and Spiritual Change (SC)) are associated with cardiovascular health in a cohort of 1006 male UK military personnel (median age 34). The findings suggest AOL, PS and RTO are associated with better cardiovascular health through cardiometabolic effects (lower levels of triglycerides, and total cholesterol) and haemodynamic functioning (lower diastolic blood pressure), but not inflammation. However, NP and SC were associated with poorer cardiovascular health through cardiometabolic effects (lower levels of high-density lipoproteins and higher levels of total cholesterol) and AOL had a non-linear association with low-density lipoproteins. These findings suggest that the relationship between PTG and cardiovascular functioning is complex and in need of further scrutiny.
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DeWitte SN. Medieval monastic health: Variation in skeletal signs of inflammation and developmental stress between religious orders in London. Am J Hum Biol 2024:e24052. [PMID: 38351667 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.24052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/16/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Previous bioarchaeological analyses of medieval monastic and nonmonastic cemeteries in London revealed evidence of lower risks of mortality, and thus better health, in the monastic settings. However, comparison of the two monastic communities, Bermondsey Abbey and Merton Priory, which adhered to different religious ideals, suggested lower risks of mortality in the former. This study examines patterns of skeletal biomarkers, which reflect developmental stress or inflammation, in an attempt to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms producing apparent health differences in these monastic communities. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study uses skeletal data on age-at-death, periosteal new bone formation (PNBF), and cribra orbitalia from 558 adults (18 years of age and older) estimated to be male from Bermondsey Abbey and Merton Priory. Biomarker age patterns are assessed via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and binary logistic regression. Differences in frequencies of biomarkers between the monastic sites are evaluated using Chi-square and hierarchical log-linear analyses. RESULTS In general, PNBF is positively associated with age, and cribra orbitalia is negatively associated with age. The frequency of PNBF formation is significantly higher and that of cribra orbitalia is significantly lower in Bermondsey Abbey compared with Merton Priory. CONCLUSIONS The differences in frequencies of these skeletal biomarkers support previous findings suggesting that health conditions were better in Bermondsey Abbey than in Merton Priory. The age patterns of cribra orbitalia suggest that these differences reflect conditions and the greater health-promoting effects of religiosity or isolation from the lay community in Bermondsey Abbey rather than differences in selective admissions processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon N DeWitte
- Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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Love CS. "Just the Facts Ma'am": Moral and Ethical Considerations for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and its Potential to Impact Patient Autonomy and Hope. LINACRE QUARTERLY 2023; 90:375-394. [PMID: 37974568 PMCID: PMC10638968 DOI: 10.1177/00243639231162431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Applying machine-based learning and synthetic cognition, commonly referred to as artificial intelligence (AI), to medicine intimates prescient knowledge. The ability of these algorithms to potentially unlock secrets held within vast data sets makes them invaluable to healthcare. Complex computer algorithms are routinely used to enhance diagnoses in fields like oncology, cardiology, and neurology. These algorithms have found utility in making healthcare decisions that are often complicated by seemingly endless relationships between exogenous and endogenous variables. They have also found utility in the allocation of limited healthcare resources and the management of end-of-life issues. With the increase in computing power and the ability to test a virtually unlimited number of relationships, scientists and engineers have the unprecedented ability to increase the prognostic confidence that comes from complex data analysis. While these systems present exciting opportunities for the democratization and precision of healthcare, their use raises important moral and ethical considerations around Christian concepts of autonomy and hope. The purpose of this essay is to explore some of the practical limitations associated with AI in medicine and discuss some of the potential theological implications that machine-generated diagnoses may present. Specifically, this article examines how these systems may disrupt the patient and healthcare provider relationship emblematic of Christ's healing mission. Finally, this article seeks to offer insights that might help in the development of a more robust ethical framework for the application of these systems in the future.
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Fellinger M, Holzinger D, Fogler J, Fellinger J. Exploring spirituality and quality of life in individuals who are deaf and have intellectual disabilities. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:1709-1718. [PMID: 36894659 PMCID: PMC10562275 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE While positive contributions of religion and spirituality (R/S) to quality of life (QOL) are confirmed by a growing body of evidence, only limited research has involved people with intellectual disabilities and so far, no studies included prelingually deaf individuals with intellectual disabilities. This study explores the role of R/S in people with intellectual disabilities and deafness living in three therapeutic living communities specifically adapted to their needs. METHODS Forty-one individuals (mean age: 46.93 years, 43.9% female) with prelingual deafness and mild to moderate intellectual disability participated in structured sign language interviews adapted to their cognitive-developmental level, regarding their QOL, individual spirituality and participation in spiritual practices in the community. Participants' QOL was assessed with an established short measure for QOL (EUROHIS-QOL) adapted to easy-to-understand sign language. With 21 participants, qualitative interviews were conducted. In addition, proxy ratings from caregivers were obtained. RESULTS The participants' ratings of their individual spirituality (r = 0.334; p = 0.03) and spiritual practices-in-community (r = 0.514; p = 0.00) correlated positively with their self-reported QOL. Qualitative findings illustrate the importance of R/S and give insights into R/S concepts and practices. CONCLUSIONS Personal spirituality and participating in spiritual practices are positively related to self-reported quality of life in deaf individuals with intellectual disability (ID). As a consequence, access to spiritual and religious services should be included in comprehensive programs and society at large.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fellinger
- Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Daniel Holzinger
- Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, 4020 Linz, Austria
- Institute of Neurology of Senses and Language, Hospital of St. John of God, 4020 Linz, Austria
- Institute of Linguistics, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Jason Fogler
- Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, 4020 Linz, Austria
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital and Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA
- Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities/Institute for Community Inclusion (LEND/ICI), Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Johannes Fellinger
- Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, 4020 Linz, Austria
- Institute of Neurology of Senses and Language, Hospital of St. John of God, 4020 Linz, Austria
- Division of Social Psychiatry, University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Hedrick MJ, Barnet J, Clements AD. Further Validation of the Religious Surrender and Attendance Scale-3 (RSAS-3). Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:1536-1543. [PMID: 37401048 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2231068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Background: The Religious Surrender and Attendance Scale -3 (RSAS-3) is a very brief measure used to quantify religious commitment as a protective health factor.Methods: To provide evidence of criterion-related validity of the RSAS-3, 440 community members and undergraduate students completed a survey containing three religiosity measures: the RSAS-3, the Intrinsic/Extrinsic Orientation scale, and the Belief into Action scale (BIAC), and a measure of problematic substance use, Texas Christian University Drug Screen-5. It was hypothesized all religiosity measures would be positively interrelated, the measure of problematic use would be negatively related to all religiosity measures, and that the RSAS-3 would be strongly predictive of absence of problematic substance use. After data filtering and imputation, bivariate correlations were calculated to establish convergent validity.Results: All relationships were in the predicted directions. Specifically, BIAC had the strongest relationship with the RSAS-3, r (440) = .906, p < .001, followed by intrinsic religiosity, r (440) =.814, p < .001, and extrinsic religiosity, r (440) = .694, p < .001. The RSAS-3 was the strongest predictor of problematic use among the religiosity measures, r (440) = -0.230, p <.001. Criterion-related validity of the RSAS-3 was supported using logistic regression to explore intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic religiosity, BIAC, and RSAS-3 as predictors of the presence/absence of problematic substance use. The RSAS-3 was the only significant predictor (OR = .858 [95% CI .757 - .973], p = .017).Conclusion: All results provide further evidence for the validity of the RSAS-3 as a very brief measure of religious commitment useful in health settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Hedrick
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Joseph Barnet
- Department of Psychology, Washington College, Chestertown, MD, USA
| | - Andrea D Clements
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
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Bendien E, Kruijthoff DJ, van der Kooi C, Glas G, Abma T. A Dutch Study of Remarkable Recoveries After Prayer: How to Deal with Uncertainties of Explanation. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:1731-1755. [PMID: 36738396 PMCID: PMC10133067 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01750-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This article addresses cases of remarkable recoveries related to healing after prayer. We sought to investigate how people who experienced remarkable recoveries re-construct and give meaning to these experiences, and examine the role that epistemic frameworks available to them, play in this process. Basing ourselves on horizontal epistemology and using grounded theory, we conducted this qualitative empirical research in the Netherlands in 2016-2021. It draws on 14 in-depth interviews. These 14 cases were selected from a group of 27 cases, which were evaluated by a medical assessment team at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre. Each of the participants had experienced a remarkable recovery during or after prayer. The analysis of the interviews, which is based on the grounded theory approach, resulted in three overarching themes, placing possible explanations of the recoveries within (1) the medical discourse, (2) biographical discourse, and (3) a discourse of spiritual and religious transformation. Juxtaposition of these explanatory frameworks provides a way to understand better the transformative experience that underlies remarkable recoveries. Uncertainty regarding an explanation is a component of knowing and can facilitate a dialogue between various domains of knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Bendien
- Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Dirk J Kruijthoff
- Faculty of Theology, Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Law, Ethics and Medical Humanities, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Gerrit Glas
- Faculty of Humanities, Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tineke Abma
- Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Nogueira VPF, Gomes AMT, Mercês MCD, Couto PLS, Yarid SD, Andrade PCDSTD. Spirituality, religiosity, and their representations for people living with HIV: daily life and its experiences. Rev Esc Enferm USP 2023; 57:e20220394. [PMID: 37285576 DOI: 10.1590/1980-220x-reeusp-2022-0394en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the process of living with HIV/AIDS in the daily life of people living with HIV in its interface with the social representations of spirituality and religiosity. METHOD Qualitative research, supported by the theory of social representations. A semi-structured interview was carried out with 32 people undergoing treatment for HIV in an outpatient clinic specialized in HIV/AIDS. Analysis carried out with the support of software IRAMUTEQ. RESULTS Participants were mostly men, aged over 51 years, Catholic, and living with the virus for more than 10 years. IRAMUTEQ generated three classes, in which the influence of spirituality and religiosity as a promoter of strength to face the infection and the difficulties in the process of coping with the diagnosis was observed, as well as the importance of the support network, and the naturalization of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION The participants make associations between spirituality and the transcendent and divine; religiosity was anchored to religion and its experience, with both being a source of support and strength. Therefore, it is important to make room for the patient to talk about their spiritual/religious needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pablo Luiz Santos Couto
- Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem e saúde, Jequié, BA, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Donha Yarid
- Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem e saúde, Jequié, BA, Brazil
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Eun Y, Ock SM, Kim SH, Chung JH, Park SJ, Kim C, Im MK, Han KD. Risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in catholic priests compared with general public. Acta Diabetol 2023; 60:655-661. [PMID: 36752859 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-023-02041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Although Catholic priests have a life of discipline with many responsibilities, there has been little research on the health effects of their lifestyle. Analysis of disease prevalence in priests will help elucidate the influence of religious life and occupational characteristics on the occurrence of diabetes. This retrospective study was performed to examine the differences in the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes between Catholic priests and the general population. METHODS The study population comprised 1845 Catholic priests aged 31-80 years who visited the health promotion centers of three university hospitals in Korea between 2010 and 2019. Controls consisted of 1801 adult non-clerics aged 31-80 years who underwent health checkups at the screening center during the same period. Logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the differences in the rates of diabetes and prediabetes between the priest and control groups. RESULT Priests were younger and had lower rates of smoking, drinking alcohol, and hypertension compared with the control group. However, metabolic markers, such as BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, insulin, HbA1c, and lipid profiles, were significantly higher in the priest group than the control group (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for covariates, the priest group had a significantly higher likelihood of having diabetes (OR = 1.651, 95% CI 1.146-2.379) or prediabetes (OR = 3.270, 95% CI 2.471-4.327) compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that Catholic priests have higher risks of diabetes and prediabetes compared with the general population, and these risks increase with age. Further large-scale prospective studies are required to confirm these relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngmi Eun
- Department of Family Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 10, 63-Ro, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul, 07345, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Myeong Ock
- Department of Family Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 10, 63-Ro, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul, 07345, Republic of Korea.
| | - Se-Hong Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Hye Chung
- Department of Family Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 10, 63-Ro, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul, 07345, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jin Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 10, 63-Ro, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul, 07345, Republic of Korea
| | - Churlmin Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyun Im
- The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-do Han
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Soongsil University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Salzer C, Samoila L, Mortazavi Moshkenani H, Samoila O. Spiritual and religious perspectives in persons with visual impairment due to age-related macular degeneration. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1096215. [PMID: 37179878 PMCID: PMC10169828 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1096215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the global leading causes of severe vision loss. Patients suffering from AMD face complex spiritual and mental challenges that have an impact on the course of their disease, their quality of life, and their relationship with their surroundings. Methods A survey was carried out using a 21-item questionnaire between August 2020 and June 2021 among 117 patients from different countries to investigate how spirituality, religion, and their way of practicing them affected the experiences and daily lives of patients suffering from AMD, and whether it helped them cope with the disease. Results Our study concluded that spirituality and religion are important factors that facilitate patients' ability to cope with a progressive degenerative disease such as AMD. Patients who are religious are more at peace with having AMD. Practices that contribute to patients being at peace in accepting the disease are regular prayers or meditation. Spirituality and religion are important components that promote a healthier and happier emotional state and mental wellbeing. In particular, by believing that death is not the end, patients feel more hopeful, which helps in their adjustment to a seemingly hopeless health condition. A significant number of AMD patients desire to talk about God with the medical staff. The profile of such patients could be those believing in a higher power, praying often, participating in religious services, being worried about the loss of vision, and needing assistance in daily life. Discussion An interdisciplinary and multidimensional team of medical health professionals including mental health workers and chaplains can be of great value in managing persons with AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Salzer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | | | - Ovidiu Samoila
- Department of Ophthalmology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Silva CGDSE. Is There a Role for Religion and Spirituality in Cardiac Rehabilitation? Arq Bras Cardiol 2023; 120:e20230088. [PMID: 37018792 PMCID: PMC10392855 DOI: 10.36660/abc.20230088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
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Schacht S, O'Connor B, Kirschner A, Steelman K, Rosmarin DH, Rubinstein J. Review of the Cardiovascular Implications of the Social and Religious Practices Associated with Donning Phylacteries. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2023; 62:287-299. [PMID: 35028811 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01478-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We previously published a manuscript suggesting that use of phylacteries, ritual straps worn during Jewish prayer services, affects cardiovascular and inflammatory function (Owens et al., Am J Physiol-Heart Circ Physiol, 315(6):H1748-H1758, 2018). Observed physiologic changes were associated with improved cardiac outcomes, though a direct link between phylactery use and improved cardiovascular outcomes is difficult to prove as there are a number of associated religious and spiritual practices that may confound the observed effects. In this review, we assess the scientific literature regarding religious and spiritual practices associated with phylactery in order to better understand the cardiovascular implications of the practice of donning phylacteries. We focus on key aspects traditionally associated with donning phylacteries including gathering in groups, meditation and prayer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Schacht
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0586, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Brian O'Connor
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0586, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Akiva Kirschner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0586, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Katie Steelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0586, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | | | - Jack Rubinstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0586, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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Brewer LC, Bowie J, Slusser JP, Scott CG, Cooper LA, Hayes SN, Patten CA, Sims M. Religiosity/Spirituality and Cardiovascular Health: The American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 in African Americans of the Jackson Heart Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e024974. [PMID: 36000432 PMCID: PMC9496409 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.024974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Religiosity/spirituality is a major coping mechanism for African Americans, but no prior studies have analyzed its association with the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 (LS7) indicators in this group. Methods and Results This cross‐sectional study using Jackson Heart Study (JHS) data examined relationships between religiosity (religious attendance, private prayer, religious coping) and spirituality (theistic, nontheistic, total) with LS7 individual components (eg, physical activity, diet, smoking, blood pressure) and composite score among African Americans. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the odds of achieving intermediate/ideal (versus poor) LS7 levels adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and biomedical factors. Among the 2967 participants (mean [SD] age=54.0 [12.3] years; 65.7% women), higher religious attendance was associated with increased likelihood (reported as odds ratio [95% CI]) of achieving intermediate/ideal levels of physical activity (1.16 [1.06–1.26]), diet (1.10 [1.01–1.20]), smoking (1.50 [1.34–1.68]), blood pressure (1.12 [1.01–1.24]), and LS7 composite score (1.15 [1.06–1.26]). Private prayer was associated with increased odds of achieving intermediate/ideal levels for diet (1.12 [1.03–1.22]) and smoking (1.24 [1.12–1.39]). Religious coping was associated with increased odds of achieving intermediate/ideal levels of physical activity (1.18 [1.08–1.28]), diet (1.10 [1.01–1.20]), smoking (1.32 [1.18–1.48]), and LS7 composite score (1.14 [1.04–1.24]). Total spirituality was associated with increased odds of achieving intermediate/ideal levels of physical activity (1.11 [1.02–1.21]) and smoking (1.36 [1.21–1.53]). Conclusions Higher levels of religiosity/spirituality were associated with intermediate/ideal cardiovascular health across multiple LS7 indicators. Reinforcement of religiosity/spirituality in lifestyle interventions may decrease overall cardiovascular disease risk among African Americans.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaPrincess C Brewer
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester MN.,Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research Mayo Clinic Rochester MN
| | - Janice Bowie
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore MD
| | - Joshua P Slusser
- Division of Clinical Trials and Biostatistics Mayo Clinic Rochester MN
| | | | - Lisa A Cooper
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore MD.,Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | | | - Christi A Patten
- Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research Mayo Clinic Rochester MN.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Mayo Clinic Rochester MN
| | - Mario Sims
- Department of Medicine University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson MS
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What Aspects of Religion and Spirituality Affect the Physical Health of Cancer Patients? A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10081447. [PMID: 36011104 PMCID: PMC9408220 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10081447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the literature on the relationship between religion and spirituality (R/S) and the health of cancer patients has been flourishing. Although most studies focus on mental health, many study the physical health of these individuals. In order to summarize the findings of these studies, we reviewed the most recent research on this subject using the PubMed and PsycInfo databases. The objective of this systematic review was to recognize the primary R/S variables studied in research on physical health in cancer contexts. We found that spiritual well-being was the most-researched variable in studies of these characteristics, followed by R/S struggles and other variables such as religious coping; religious commitment or practice; or self-rated R/S. In general, R/S seems to have a positive association with the physical health of cancer patients, although the results are quite heterogeneous, and occasionally there are no relationships or the association is negative. Our results may assist in improving interventions that include spirituality in clinical settings as well as the development of holistic approaches, which may have a positive impact on the quality of life and well-being of cancer patients.
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Libby G, Zimmer Z, Kingston A, Haviva C, Chiu CT, Ofstedal MB, Saito Y, Jagger C. Are Religiosity and Spirituality Related to Self-Reported Health Expectancy? An Analysis of the European Values Survey. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2022; 61:2590-2604. [PMID: 34283368 PMCID: PMC9142421 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01348-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Research on religiosity and health has generally focussed on the United States, and outcomes of health or mortality but not both. Using the European Values Survey 2008, we examined cross-sectional associations between four dimensions of religiosity/spirituality: attendance, private prayer, importance of religion, belief in God; and healthy life expectancy (HLE) based on self-reported health across 47 European countries (n = 65,303 individuals). Greater levels of private prayer, importance of religion and belief in God, at a country level, were associated with lower HLE at age 20, after adjustment for confounders, but only in women. The findings may explain HLE inequalities between European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Libby
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Leeds University, Leeds, UK
| | - Zachary Zimmer
- Global Aging and Community Initiative, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Andrew Kingston
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK
| | - Clove Haviva
- Global Aging and Community Initiative, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
- Geriatric Medicine Research, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Chi-Tsun Chiu
- Institute of European and American Studies, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Yasuhiko Saito
- College of Economics and Population Research Institute, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Carol Jagger
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK.
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16
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Okruszek Ł, Piejka A, Żurek K. Take Me to (the Empty) Church? Social Networks, Loneliness and Religious Attendance in Young Polish Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2022; 61:722-740. [PMID: 35041126 PMCID: PMC8764885 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A significant body of research supports the relationship between religious attendance, objective and subjective social networks characteristics, and mental well-being. This trajectory may be particularly important in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Thus, the current study examined the relationship between religious attendance, social network characteristics, loneliness, and mental well-being in a sample of 564 young adults (aged 18-35 years) soon after the first COVID-19-related restrictions were imposed in Poland. In line with previous findings, both frequent (FAs) and infrequent religious attenders (IAs) reported more people in their social networks compared to non-attenders (NAs). Further analysis revealed full mediation of religious attendance (FAs vs. NAs) via social network size on loneliness and mental well-being. This pattern of results was still observed after the exclusion of worship-based affiliates from the social network score. A follow-up survey carried out one year later (N = 94) showed that all three groups of participants (FAs, IAs, and NAs) reported increased loneliness and decreased mental well-being. Taken together, these findings show that the influence of religious attendance on social functioning cannot be attributed solely to congregational relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ł Okruszek
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 1 Jaracza Street, 00-387, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - A Piejka
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 1 Jaracza Street, 00-387, Warsaw, Poland
| | - K Żurek
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 1 Jaracza Street, 00-387, Warsaw, Poland
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17
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Chehrazi M, Faramarzi M, Abdollahi S, Esfandiari M, Shafie rizi S. Health promotion behaviours of pregnant women and spiritual well-being: Mediatory role of pregnancy stress, anxiety and coping ways. Nurs Open 2021; 8:3558-3565. [PMID: 33938639 PMCID: PMC8510764 DOI: 10.1002/nop2.905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Little is known about the link between spiritual well-being and health promotion behaviours in pregnant women. The study aimed to explore the direct and indirect effects of spirituality on health promotion behaviours with the mediatory roles of pregnancy stress, anxiety and coping ways. DESIGN Cross-sectional. METHODS Two hundred women aged above 18 years completed Spiritual Well-Being scale (SWBS), State-Anxiety Inventory (SAI), Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), Prenatal Coping Inventory (Nu-PCI) and Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ). RESULTS Spirituality directly and negatively affected the state anxiety (β = -.41; p < .001) and NuPDQ (β = -.36; p < .001). Health promotion behaviours were negatively related to state anxiety (β = -.36; p < .001) and positively to planning-preparation coping (β = .23; p = .001). Spirituality had a significant indirect effect on health promotion behaviours (β = .33; p < .001), mediated through its association with state anxiety and planning-preparation coping. Thus, health professionals are proposed to consult pregnant women on the benefits of spirituality for improving healthy behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Chehrazi
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Mahbobeh Faramarzi
- Social Determinants of Health Research CenterHealth Research InstituteBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Somayeh Abdollahi
- Student Research CommitteeBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Maria Esfandiari
- Student Research CommitteeBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Shiva Shafie rizi
- Student Research CommitteeBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
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18
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Nobre F, Esporcatte R, Brandão AA, Avezum Á, Feitosa ADM, Amodeo C, Barbosa ECD, Moriguchi EH, Lucchese FA, Griz HB, Nicolau JC, Magalhães LBNC, Mota-Gomes MA, Borba MHED, Pontes MRN, Jardim PCBV, Spineti PPDM, Mourilhe-Rocha R, Miranda RD, Couceiro SLM, Barroso WKS. Position Statement on Hypertension and Spirituality - 2021. Arq Bras Cardiol 2021; 117:599-613. [PMID: 34550245 PMCID: PMC8462965 DOI: 10.36660/abc.20210723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Nobre
- Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP - Brasil.,Hospital São Francisco, Ribeirão Preto, SP - Brasil
| | - Roberto Esporcatte
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brasil.,Hospital Pró-Cradíaco, Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brasil
| | | | - Álvaro Avezum
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, SP - Brasil
| | - Audes Diógenes Magalhães Feitosa
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE - Brasil.,Pronto Socorro Cardiológico de Pernambuco (PROCAPE), Recife, PE - Brasil
| | - Celso Amodeo
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP - Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | - José Carlos Nicolau
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP - Brasil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Weimar Kunz Sebba Barroso
- Liga de Hipertensão Arterial, Goiânia, GO - Brasil.,Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO - Brasil
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19
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Jilou V, Duarte JMG, Gonçalves RHA, Vieira EE, Simões ALDA. Fatigue due to compassion in health professionals and coping strategies: a scoping review. Rev Bras Enferm 2021; 74:e20190628. [PMID: 34406305 DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES to identify the current state of knowledge on compassion fatigue in the work context of healthcare professionals; and how coping strategies are established in this scenario. METHOD a scoping review with search applied to the databases: MEDLINE, LILACS, CINAHL, Scopus. Temporal limit: 2009 to 2019. The data was analyzed and synthesized in narrative form. RESULTS thirty articles were selected, synthesized into two categories: a) Health work and compassion fatigue: conceptual analysis, context, and manifestations; b) Coping strategies for compassion fatigue. CONCLUSIONS this study presented: a descriptive and general panorama about compassion fatigue in healthcare professionals, identifying a greater consolidation of the concept between 2015 and 2018; and some coping strategies. The association between health and spirituality is highlighted as one of the strategies in this scenario, enabling new research to be conducted in view of the importance of the theme in life, health work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Jilou
- Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro. Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | - Edson Elias Vieira
- Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro. Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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20
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Music therapists’ empathic experiences of shared and differing orientations to religion and spirituality in the client-therapist relationship. ARTS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2021.101786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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21
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Telling Our Stories: Resilience during Resettlement for African Skilled Migrants in Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18083954. [PMID: 33918671 PMCID: PMC8069641 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18083954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emigration to Australia by people from Africa has grown steadily in the past two decades, with skilled migration an increasingly significant component of migration streams. Challenges to resettlement in Australia by African migrants have been identified, including difficulties securing employment, experiences of racism, discrimination and social isolation. These challenges can negatively impact resettlement outcomes, including health and wellbeing. There has been limited research that has examined protective and resilience factors that help highly skilled African migrants mitigate the aforementioned challenges in Australia. This paper discusses how individual and community resilience factors supported successful resettlement Africans in Australia. The paper is contextualised within a larger study which sought to investigate how belonging and identity inform Afrodiasporic experiences of Africans in Australia. METHODS A qualitative inquiry was conducted with twenty-seven (n = 27) skilled African migrants based in South Australia, using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Participants were not directly questioned about 'resilience,' but were encouraged to reflect critically on how they navigated the transition to living in Australia, and to identify factors that facilitated a successful resettlement. RESULTS The study findings revealed a mixture of settlement experiences for participants. Resettlement challenges were observed as barriers to fully meeting expectations of emigration. However, there were significant protective factors reported that supported resilience, including participants' capacities for excellence and willingness to work hard; the social capital vested in community and family support networks; and African religious and cultural values and traditions. Many participants emphasised their pride in their contributions to Australian society as well as their desire to contribute to changing narratives of what it means to be African in Australia. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate that despite challenges, skilled African migrants' resilience, ambition and determination were significant enablers to a healthy resettlement in Australia, contributing effectively to social, economic and cultural expectations, and subsequently meeting most of their own migration intentions. These findings suggest that resilience factors identified in the study are key elements of integration.
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22
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Chin F, Chou R, Waqas M, Vakharia K, Rai H, Levy E, Holmes D. Efficacy of prayer in inducing immediate physiological changes: a systematic analysis of objective experiments. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 18:679-684. [PMID: 33544510 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the immediate impact of prayer on physiological state by systematically reviewing objective, controlled experimental studies in the literature. CONTENT Experimental studies measuring objective physiological changes induced by prayer. Studies containing the keyword, "Prayer" anywhere in the title or abstract were curated from the following databases: Public/Publisher Medline (PubMed), Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) in May 2019. Titles and abstracts were screened with the remaining 30 articles analyzed for inclusion. Only experimental studies were included. SUMMARY Eight experimental studies were identified of which five investigated neurocognitive changes and three investigated systemic physiological changes during prayer. The five studies focusing on neuroactivity used functional MRI (fMRI), electroencephalography or SPECT imaging to obtain measurements. The remaining three studies analyzed an array of systemic physiological metrics, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral resistance, baroreceptor sensitivity and/or cardiovascular rhythm variability during prayer. All studies aside from one saw objective changes during prayer. Neurocognitive changes were mainly associated with improved mental functioning, control and pain tolerance. Prayer was found to slow down physiological functions in two of the three vital-based studies, with the third reporting no change in physiological status. None of the studies measured blood marker changes. OUTLOOK Experimental studies show prayer to induce healthy neurocognitive and physiological changes. Additional studies exploring objective measures from prayer are encouraged to provide practitioners with a more nuanced, scientific perspective when it comes to prescribing prayer as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Chin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Gates Vascular Institute at Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Ryan Chou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Gates Vascular Institute at Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunal Vakharia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Gates Vascular Institute at Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Hamid Rai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Gates Vascular Institute at Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Elad Levy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Gates Vascular Institute at Kaleida Health, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - David Holmes
- Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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23
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Plasma protein expression profiles, cardiovascular disease, and religious struggles among South Asians in the MASALA study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:961. [PMID: 33441605 PMCID: PMC7806901 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79429-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood protein concentrations are clinically useful, predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite a higher burden of CVD among U.S. South Asians, no CVD-related proteomics study has been conducted in this sub-population. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between plasma protein levels and CVD incidence, and to assess the potential influence of religiosity/spirituality (R/S) on significant protein-CVD associations, in South Asians from the MASALA Study. We used a nested case–control design of 50 participants with incident CVD and 50 sex- and age-matched controls. Plasma samples were analyzed by SOMAscan for expression of 1305 proteins. Multivariable logistic regression models and model selection using Akaike Information Criteria were performed on the proteins and clinical covariates, with further effect modification analyses conducted to assess the influence of R/S measures on significant associations between proteins and incident CVD events. We identified 36 proteins that were significantly expressed differentially among CVD cases compared to matched controls. These proteins are involved in immune cell recruitment, atherosclerosis, endothelial cell differentiation, and vascularization. A final multivariable model found three proteins (Contactin-5 [CNTN5], Low affinity immunoglobulin gamma Fc region receptor II-a [FCGR2A], and Complement factor B [CFB]) associated with incident CVD after adjustment for diabetes (AUC = 0.82). Religious struggles that exacerbate the adverse impact of stressful life events, significantly modified the effect of Contactin-5 and Complement factor B on risk of CVD. Our research is this first assessment of the relationship between protein concentrations and risk of CVD in a South Asian sample. Further research is needed to understand patterns of proteomic profiles across diverse ethnic communities, and the influence of resources for resiliency on proteomic signatures and ultimately, risk of CVD.
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24
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Association between the Mediterranean lifestyle, metabolic syndrome and mortality: a whole-country cohort in Spain. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2021; 20:5. [PMID: 33402187 PMCID: PMC7786987 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-020-01195-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence is limited about the joint health effects of the Mediterranean lifestyle on cardiometabolic health and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the Mediterranean lifestyle with the frequency of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Spain. Methods Data were taken from ENRICA study, a prospective cohort of 11,090 individuals aged 18+ years, representative of the population of Spain, who were free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes at 2008–2010 and were followed-up to 2017. The Mediterranean lifestyle was assessed at baseline with the 27-item MEDLIFE index (with higher score representing better adherence). Results Compared to participants in the lowest quartile of MEDLIFE, those in the highest quartile had a multivariable-adjusted odds ratio 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5, 0.93) for MS, 0.63. (0.51, 0.80) for abdominal obesity, and 0.76 (0.63, 0.90) for low HDL-cholesterol. Similarly, a higher MELDIFE score was associated with lower HOMA-IR and highly-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P-trend < 0.001). During a mean follow-up of 8.7 years, 330 total deaths (74 CVD deaths) were ascertained. When comparing those in highest vs. lowest quartile of MEDLIFE, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) was 0.58 (0.37, 0.90) for total mortality and 0.33 (0.11, 1.02) for cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions The Mediterranean lifestyle was associated with lower frequency of MS and reduced all-cause mortality in Spain. Future studies should determine if this also applies to other Mediterranean countries, and also improve cardiovascular health outside the Mediterranean basin.
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25
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Kopeyko GI, Borisova OA, Gedevani EV, Kaleda VG. [The influence of religiosity on depressive disorders and suicidal behavior]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2020; 120:103-110. [PMID: 32105277 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2020120011103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review of the literature is focused on the positive influence of religiosity on recovery after depression and on the protective role of religiosity against suicidal activity. Despite the inconsistent results on the role of religiosity in treatment of mental diseases, to date there is a sufficiently large body of literature showing the beneficial effect of religiosity and describing specific therapeutic approaches and suicide prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G I Kopeyko
- Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - V G Kaleda
- Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia
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