A systematic review of 18 studies with 1272 participants examined whether mindfulness meditation increases spirituality or religiosity as measured by validated scales. Four scales (FACIT-sp, INSPIRIT, DSES, DUREL) contained items on spirituality, religion, and mysticism—elements critics consider risky for sectarian drift. A few studies found significant increases in spirituality scores after mindfulness meditation, but the clinical relevance of these changes is uncertain; control groups showed smaller changes. The review concludes that a pragmatic harm-reduction approach is more appropriate than banning mindfulness-based practices, and that the debate over secularism in French psychotherapy requires further research.
Among 59 patients discharged from intensive care after severe COVID-19, levels of post-traumatic growth were relatively high three months later, while only 3.4% met criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. A near-death experience occurred in 20.3% of participants. Post-traumatic growth was associated with the presence of a near-death experience, intense and intrusive memories, and higher PTSD symptom levels. The findings suggest that near-death experiences and higher distress may contribute to post-traumatic growth after ICU hospitalization.