Understanding the Link Between Spirituality and Neurorehabilitation: A Narrative Review.

Spirituality, a near-universal human experience, may aid recovery in neurorehabilitation by activating brain pathways linked to neuroplasticity. This narrative review of 50 articles found that spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, singing, dancing, and yoga are associated with increased neuronal activity, potentially strengthening existing synapses and forming new ones. Many cultures have long recognized spirituality's impact on health, and recent neuroradiological advances allow mapping of these experiences to specific brain networks. While observational evidence supports benefits for patients, more randomized controlled trials are needed before including spiritual interventions in neurorehabilitation guidelines for holistic restoration.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BackgroundSpirituality is an essentially universal human experience and is incorporated into concepts of health and well-being in many cultures. The spiritual domain of quality of life, spared in the disability paradox, may be harnessed for recovery through internal adaptation and coping skills. This can help the individual attain his/her full potential while optimizing health-related quality of life. This narrative review explored the role of spirituality in neurorehabilitation.MethodsWe conducted a narrative review of relevant articles published between 2000 and 2024 using the following search terms: "spirituality", "spiritual care", "neurorehabilitation", "stroke rehabilitation", "brain injury rehabilitation", "spinal cord injury", "Parkinson's disease", "recovery", "neuroplasticity", "music therapy". Similar articles were harmonized to avoid redundancy.ResultsWe retrieved 9,200 articles. After the removal of non-relevant duplicates, 50 articles were reviewed. We observed that many cultures have recognized the experience of spirituality and its impact on health for centuries. Recent advances in neuroradiology have enabled us to map such experiences to specific brain pathways. Their activation is associated with increased neuronal activities that potentially lead to the strengthening of existing synapses, the formation of new synapses, and spatial re-orientation of neuronal networks, suggesting that spiritual activation may favorably contribute to neuroplasticity. There is emerging evidence that supports the benefits of spiritually-based interventions such as meditation, prayer, singing, dancing, yoga, and others for improvement in patients.ConclusionWhile observational data are strong, more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to establish the role of spiritual interventions and inclusion in neurorehabilitation guidelines towards achieving holistic restoration.