Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 School of Nursing and Midwifery Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spiritual healing is a complementary and alternative treatment with different
meanings in different cultures and religions. However, the concept has not been defined from the
cancer patients’ points of view. The present study was done with the aim of concept analyses of
spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients’ viewpoints.
METHODOLOGY: The study was done using a hybrid method at three phases including of theoretical
study, field study, and final analysis. In the theoretical study phase and using the keyword “spiritual
healing,” pertinent articles were searched in main databases. In the field study phase, ten cancer
patients were interviewed, and in the final phase, the two other phases were analyzed. After
determining features, antecedents, and consequences, a conclusive definition of spiritual healing
from Iranian cancer patients’ viewpoints was proposed.
FINDINGS: Spiritual healing from Iranian cancer patients’ viewpoints was featured with four themes,
including connection with paranormal forces; effective, noninvasive, inexpensive, and efficient
therapeutic method; a way to achieve piece, adaptation, and health and influenced by cultural and
religious beliefs. Spiritual healing is a complementary and alternative treatment that helps careseekers
to achieve health through paranormal forces and energies. As the findings showed and according to
the participants’ viewpoints, the source of such forces and energies was divine force and the healers
were mediums to transfer the energy.
CONCLUSION: The findings supported that religion and faith were the key elements of spiritual
healing in the Iranian Islamic context.

Keywords

1. Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A.
Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence
and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA
Cancer J Clin 2018;68:394‑424.
2. Gerson M. A Cancer Therapy: Results of Fifty Cases: A Summary
of 30 Years of Clinical Experimentation. Gerson Institute, Station
Hill Press; 1958. ISBN: 0961152621, 9780961152628.
3. Aaronson NK, Mattioli V, Minton O, Weis J, Johansen C,
Dalton SO, et al. Beyond treatment – Psychosocial and behavioural
issues in cancer survivorship research and practice. EJC
Suppl 2014;12:54‑64.
4. Denlinger CS, Barsevick AM. The challenges of colorectal cancer
survivorship. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2009;7:883‑93.
5. Clarke TC, Black LI, Stussman BJ, Barnes PM, Nahin RL. Trends
in the Use of Complementary Health Approaches among Adults:
United States, 2002‑2012. National Health Statistics Reports; 2015.
p. 1.
6. Alzahrani SH, Bashawri J, Salawati EM, Bakarman MA.
Knowledge and attitudes towards complementary and alternative
medicine among senior medical students in king abdulaziz
university, saudi arabia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med
2016; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9370721: pages:
1‑72016:9370721.
7. Alligood MR. Nursing Theory‑E‑Book: Utilization and
Application. London: Elsevier HealthSciences. http://
public.ebookcentral.proquest.com/choice/publicfullrecord.
aspx?p=2072101.
8. Deschênes G, Heintzman P, Reimer J. Integrating religious and
spiritual practices with therapeutic leisure within the recovery
process of persons with mental disorders. Couns Spiritual
2015;34:29‑60.
9. Olsen NC. Reflections on faith and healing. J Assoc Nurses AIDS
Care 2003;14:73‑5.
10. Simão T, Caldeira S, de Carvalho E. The effect of prayer on
patients’ health: Systematic literature review. Religions 2016;7:11.
11. Pajević I, Sinanović O, Hasanović M. Association of islamic prayer
with psychological stability in Bosnian war veterans. J Relig
Health 2017;56:2317‑29.
12. Levin J, TaylorRJ, Chatters LM. Prevalence and sociodemographic
correlates of spiritual healer use: Findings from the national
survey of american life. Complement Ther Med 2011;19:63‑70.
13. Carneiro ÉM, Barbosa LP, Marson JM, Terra JA, Martins CJ,
Modesto D, et al. Effectiveness of spiritist “passe” (spiritual
healing) for anxiety levels, depression, pain, muscle tension,
well‑being, and physiological parameters in cardiovascular
inpatients: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med
2017;30:73‑8.
14. Bell CJ. Public health implications of spiritual healing practice, in
conditions such as depression. J Public Ment Health 2013;12:6‑9.
15. Teut M, Stöckigt B, Holmberg C, Besch F, Witt CM, Jeserich F.
Perceived outcomes of spiritual healing and explanations – A
qualitative study on the perspectives of german healers and their
clients. BMC Complement Altern Med 2014;14:240.
16. van Leeuwen R, Tiesinga LJ, Jochemsen H, Post D. Aspects of
spirituality concerning illness. Scand J Caring Sci 2007;21:482‑9.
17. Zullig KJ, Ward RM, Horn T. The association between perceived
spirituality, religiosity, and life satisfaction: The mediating role
of self‑rated health. Soc Indic Res 2006;79:255.
18. Xu S, Hu J. Doctors’ faith. J Med Coll PLA 2013;28:35‑8.
19. Meleis AI. Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress.
Pennsylvania. Fifth edition: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins;
2011.
20. Polit D, Beck C. Essentials of Nursing Research, Methods,
Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice. Philadelphia, United States of America: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2010.
21. Oxford Dictionaries. Post‑Truth. Oxford Dictionaries com; 2017.
22. Bridge DT, Bennett KS. “Spirituality, suffering, and healing”:
A learning option for western australian medical students. J Pain
Symptom Manage 2014;47:659‑65.
23. Hodges RD, Scofield AM. Is spiritual healing a valid and effective
therapy? J R Soc Med 1995;88:203‑7.
24. Astin JA, Harkness E, Ernst E. The efficacy of “distant healing”:
A systematic review of randomized trials. Ann Intern Med
2000;132:903‑10.
25. Benor DJ. Spiritual healing for infertility, pregnancy, labour, and
delivery. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1996;2:106‑9.
26. Mackereth P, Wright J. Therapeutic touch: Nursing activity or
form of spiritual healing? Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery
1997;3:106‑10.
27. Wirth DP. The significance of belief and expectancy within the
spiritual healing encounter. Soc Sci Med 1995;41:249‑60.
28. Zachariae R, Højgaard L, Zachariae C, Vaeth M, Bang B, Skov L.
The effect of spiritual healing on in vitro tumour cell proliferation
and viability – An experimental study. Br J Cancer 2005;93:538‑43.
29. Patterson E. The philosophy and physics of holistic health care
Spiritnal healing as a workable interpretation. Plast Surg Nurs
1999;19:46.
30. Sutherland JA, Poloma MM, Pendleton BF. Religion, spirituality,
and alternative health practices: The baby boomer and cold war
cohorts. J Relig Health 2003;42:315‑38.
31. Masters KS, Spielmans GI. Prayer and health: Review,
meta‑analysis, and research Agenda. J Behav Med 2007;30:329‑38.
32. Jonas WB, Crawford CC. Science and spiritual healing: A critical
review of spiritual healing, “energy” medicine, and intentionality.
Altern Ther Health Med 2003;9:56‑61.
33. Targ R, Katra J. Miracles of Mind: Exploring Nonlocal
Consciousness and Spritual Healing.: New World Library; First
Trade Paper edition (April 23, 1999).
34. Javaheri F. Prayer healing: An experiential description of Iranian
prayer healing. J Relig Health 2006;45:171‑82.
35. Risberg T, Wist E, Kaasa S, Lund E, Norum J. Spiritual healing
among Norwegian hospitalised cancer patients and patients’
religious needs and preferences of pastoral services. Eur J Cancer
1996;32A: 274‑81.
36. Bishop FL, Barlow F, Walker J, McDermott C, Lewith GT. The
development and validation of an outcome measure for spiritual
healing: A mixed methods study. Psychother Psychosom
2010;79:350‑62.
37. Mark G, Lyons A. Conceptualizing mind, body, spirit
interconnections through, and beyond, spiritual healing practices.
Explore (NY) 2014;10:294‑9.
38. Willis DG, DeSanto‑Madeya S, Ross R, Sheehan DL, Fawcett J.
Spiritual healing in the aftermath of childhood maltreatment:
Translating men’s lived experiences utilizing nursing conceptual
models and theory. ANS Adv Nurs Sci 2015;38:162‑74.
39. Rao A, Hickman LD, Phillips JL, Sibbritt D. Prevalence and
characteristics of Australian women who use prayer or spiritual
healing: A nationally representative cross‑sectional study.
Complement Ther Med 2016;27:35‑42.
40. Carneiro ÉM, Barbosa LP, Marson JM, Terra JA Junior, Martins CJ,
Modesto D, et al. Effectiveness of spiritist “passe” (Spiritual
healing) for anxiety levels, depression, pain, muscle tension,
well‑being, and physiological parameters in cardiovascular
inpatients: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med
2017;30:73‑8.
41. Nia S, Hojjati H, Nazari R, Qorbani M, Akhoondzade G. The
effect of prayer on mental health of hemodialysis patients
referring to Imam Reza hospital in Amol city. Iran J Crit Care
Nurs 2012;5:29‑34.
42. Asadzandi M, Taghizade Karati K, Tadrisi S, Abbas E. Effect of
prayer on severity of patients illness in intensive care units. Iran
J Crit Care Nurs 2011;4:1‑6.