Impact of Religion/Spirituality on Health: What Are The Evidences?

From advancement of mechanistic view of human body to shifting paradigm of evaluation in medicine, world has changed a lot in last two decades in terms of visualizing a person as One Whole Being. Recently many studies have evolved with a question of spirituality benefits on health. Articles largely concentrated on reduction of physical as well as mental symptoms through association with religious practices. On the other hand, some argue on its association considering error in research designs and bias in studies which have linked positive correlation between religion and health. This review article has considered both accounts of objections as well as neutral studies along with recent developments, which is basically integration of spirituality into medical curriculum. Why it is now gaining attention? Why in need of most of the distressed patients? How religion affects coping and perception of a person and help in crisis? Current approach is critically analyzed for further studies to establish ambiguity in many areas and discussed benefits as how health system can be improved through incorporation of spiritual aspect into health assessment. Health of mind and body Ancient Greek period focused body and mind using two approaches (1) the materialist; stating matter, or brain (2) the personalist; central in the person is the core called the soul, self, or ego states i.e., thought and emotion. In most cultures of the world, both in ancient and in modern times care for the soul and body were integrated aspect of any culture. Those who were assigned to the care of people in the culture attended to both their physical and spiritual needs; there were no dichotomy between the needs of the body and the needs of the spirit. In many ancient cultures, the shaman was a religious figure as well as healer also in Christianity; Jesus was a healer of body and spirit. In last few decades, this separation has developed that resulted in religiosity that is solely dedicated for spiritual concerns, while physicians and scientists, to the physical one [1,2]. Rene Descartes, a seventeenth-century philosopher who believed in mechanical laws and gave little or no concern to meaning. His ideologies are dealing with rupture of body and spirit, the healing picture which came to surface contained detached body and soul [3]. Due to rapid succession of discoveries in last couple of decades and progression of neuro-anatomy, neurophysiology and micro-biology, the brain and behavior discussions got a new vision; vision of machine, science and objectivity. By the time, old belief of spiritual highness and intellectual well-being were overshadowed by molecular sciences [Freud et al., 1895]. The authors of the Persuasion and healing holds that effort should be made to steer between doubt and the acceptance. Too much “skepticism” dependent upon standardized scientific methods can miss real phenomena, while too enthusiastic “willingness” to accept every subjective finding may lead to false results. Remen, who has developed Commonweal Retreats for people with cancer, described it well: “Helping, fixing, and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole. Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego, and service the work of the soul.” [4,5]. Every person has his/her own life stories, relationships, meanings and purpose of life, simply treating a medical diagnosis is not more than approaching a patient with materialist approach only [6] or in another word devaluing him/her from existential connection with others. Significance of religion/spirituality in life Religion deals with external functions and apparent code of conduct while spirituality concerns with esoteric dimensions of personality like finding serenity with nature or with surrounding and with God, also to explore out meaning and motives of life. The main features of spirituality as defined by Martsolf and Mickley [7] are meaning, connecting, transcendence and value. Similarly, William James [8] has also distinguished an experiential religion from an Institutional religion with intrinsic and extrinsic meaning respectively. Simpson and Weiner [9], in the Oxford English Dictionary, offers two related themes .First, spirituality refers to life’s most vital issues and concerns (e.g., the term spiritus in Latin means “the breath,” most vital to life). Second, spirituality is seen as subjective features of life including the senses, such as sight and hearing. The Association of American Medical Colleges defines spirituality as a broad one: “Spirituality is recognized as a factor that contributes to health in many persons. The concept of spirituality is found in all cultures and societies. It is expressed in an individual’s search for ultimate meaning”. Anandarajah [10,11] explained that important aspects of spirituality are love and peace that individuals derive from their relationships, nature and God. Spirituality can be described as latent constructs; as it cannot be observed directly but can be inferred from some of their elements [12]. Journal of Psychiatry Jawaid, J Psychiatry 2014, 17:6 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/1994-8220.1000164 Review Article Open Access J Psychiatry Journal of Psychiatry, an open access Volume 17 • Issue 6 • Psychiatry-14-111 More than an objective definition, the concept of health has emerged ahead of biological functioning, influenced by cultural, social, and philosophical factors, including purpose in life and the quality of healthy personal relationships [13]. Although researches helped out a lot in sorting out spirituality role but it will take many more years to understand different aspects of spirituality to unfold some of medicine’s greatest mysteries Evidence based association between spirituality and health When a person gets ill, he/she experiences stress over the changes in life then eventually looks for evident reasons or solutions for cure, and when the medical system fails to do so, then patient begins to look towards spirituality for healing in other way. Those who were not religious previously may turn to religion for comfort and acquired it as a new method of coping. In 1974, Benson found that 10 to 20 minutes of meditation twice a day leads to decreased metabolism, decreased heart rate, decreased respiratory rate, and slower brain waves, the practice was beneficial for the treatment of chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, hostility, depression, premenstrual syndrome, and infertility and was a useful adjunct to treatment for patients with cancer or HIV. The personal beliefs influence illness prevention, coping, recovery, and illness experience. Patients showed less psychological distress if they connect with God in hope for healing and relaxation, most of them report strength and comfort from their spiritual beliefs [14,15].