Spirituality and Medicine in the USA, Europe, and the UK: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Integrative Approaches to Patient Satisfaction, Quality of Life, and Health Outcomes.
Arbind Kumar Choudhary, R Abirami
Journal of religion and health February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-025-02438-9 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies from the USA, Europe, and China found that spiritual interventions—including meditation, prayer, mindfulness, and compassionate care—significantly reduce anxiety (effect size 0.70), improve quality of life (effect size 0.75), and provide moderate benefits for chronic disease symptoms (effect size 0.65). Patient satisfaction with spiritual support consistently exceeded 80%, with highest ratings in palliative care. Stronger effects appeared among older adults, those with chronic illness, and participants in meditation-based programs. The findings support integrating spiritual care into patient-centered health models.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Adults from the USA, Europe, and China |
| Interventions | meditation prayer mindfulness compassionate care |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic illness Healthcare integration Meta-analysis |
| Key finding | Spiritual interventions significantly reduced anxiety, improved quality of life, and moderately benefited chronic disease outcomes, with patient satisfaction exceeding 80%. |
Abstract
Spiritual interventions, including meditation, prayer, mindfulness, and compassionate care, have gained increasing attention for their potential to enhance both psychological resilience and overall health. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined eight eligible studies conducted across the USA, Europe, and China to assess the impact of such interventions on key outcomes, namely anxiety reduction, quality of life, chronic disease symptom management, and patient satisfaction. Seven studies contributed quantitative data. The pooled results indicated significant improvements in anxiety symptoms (effect size: 0.70, 95% CI 0.50-0.90), meaningful gains in quality of life (effect size: 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.90), and moderate benefits for chronic disease outcomes (effect size: 0.65, 95% CI 0.50-0.80). Rates of patient satisfaction with spiritual support consistently exceeded 80%, with the highest ratings reported in palliative care contexts. Subgroup analyses highlighted stronger effects among older adults, individuals living with chronic illness, and participants in meditation-based programs. Minimal publication bias was observed, and sensitivity testing confirmed the robustness of the findings. Collectively, these results emphasize the clinical value of integrating spiritual care into patient-centered health models and underscore the need for broader implementation strategies that promote holistic well-being.