Effects of Spirituality Education Program on Depression and Anxiety Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

authors:

avatar Siamak Amiri ORCID 1 , 2 , avatar Marjan Hajfiroozabadi ORCID 1 , 2 , * , avatar Tahereh Amiri 3 , avatar Hossein Zandifar 4 , avatar Tooran Bahrami Babaheydari 5

Nursing Department, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Psychology and Counseling Services Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Psychology Department, Student Research Committee, AJA University of Medical Sciences,Tehran, Iran
School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

how to cite: Amiri S, Hajfiroozabadi M, Amiri T, Zandifar H, Bahrami Babaheydari T. Effects of Spirituality Education Program on Depression and Anxiety Among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized-Controlled Trial. Jundishapur J Chronic Dis Care. 2020;9(1):e99398. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjcdc.99398.

Abstract

Background:

Around 50% - 60% of patients with multiple sclerosis suffer from different levels of anxiety and depression. Patients with multiple sclerosis, due to their unique conditions, have limitations on using medications and psychotherapies to manage their depression and anxiety.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a spirituality education program on the anxiety and depression of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Methods:

A pretest-posttest two-group randomized-controlled trial was conducted in 2018 on a convenience sample of 64 patients with multiple sclerosis. Patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group and a control group. In the experimental group, patients received spirituality education in eight 90-min weekly sessions. The Beck Depression and the Anxiety Inventory were used for data collection. For data analysis, we used frequency distribution tables, repeated measures ANOVA (RM-ANOVA), and independent t-test.

Results:

The post-test mean scores of depression and anxiety were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the results of the RM-ANOVA test illustrated that in the experimental group, the depression score significantly decreased from 22.86 ± 3.86 at baseline to 14.27 ± 4.62 after the intervention (P < 0.001). Additionally, the anxiety score in this group significantly decreased from 20.82 ± 4.26 at baseline to 13.55 ± 4.74 after the intervention (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The findings show that spirituality education is effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety among patients with multiple sclerosis.

1. Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (1). There are different types of MS including relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, secondary progressive, progressive-relapsing, and benign sensory MS (2). Although the age range of MS patients is 20 to 50, MS mainly affects young people. It is three times more prevalent among women (2). The number of patients with MS in the world, United States, and England has been reported to be around 2.5 million, 400,000, and 85,000, respectively, Moreover, 189 per 100,000 population in Sweden were reported to have MS (3-5). Statistics provided by the Iranian MS Association show that with around 50,000 MS patients, Iran has the first rank in the Middle East (6).

Patients with MS not only suffer from a wide range of physical health problems including diplopia, loss of balance, dizziness, sensorimotor disturbances in the limbs, genitourinary disorders (such as impotence and incontinence), and constipation, but also experience different levels of depression and anxiety (3). Most patients with MS experience depression due to the unpredictable and debilitating relapses of the disease and their effects on their lives (7). Moreover, the suicide rate is significantly high among this patient population due to their social isolation (8, 9). The risk of developing depression is about 30% - 50% among MS-afflicted patients while it is just around 10% - 15% in the general population (10, 11).

Depression and anxiety are among the main factors behind the reduced quality of life. Moreover, depression can reduce the effectiveness of MS treatments (12). Besides, due to the frequent relapses of MS, dependence on others, and inability to fulfill personal needs, patients with MS are usually preoccupied with their self-concept and the meaning of their lives (13).

Spiritual interventions are among the therapies for depression and anxiety (14, 15). Many studies have assessed the correlation of spirituality with life satisfaction, quality of life, psychological well-being, depression, and anxiety (16-18). Religiosity and spirituality have been reported to be the sources of adaptation to stressful life events such as significant losses (8). Rafferty et al. (16) also noted that spirituality is one of the strategies that must be adapted to chronic conditions. Moreover, studies found that after affliction by a chronic painful condition, patients displayed a greater tendency towards religiosity and spirituality (19). As a framework, spirituality provides individuals who experience crises a sense of ultimate goal and meaning in life, stability, support, and guidance (20).

Studies show that education programs can enhance people’s spiritual well-being (21-23). Thus, one of the best ways of enhancing psychological well-being has been reported to be direct education and reflective programming (21). Besides, the most effective teaching strategies were reported to be those that actively engage learners in discussions and activities (24).

Spiritual education is a challenging work (25) due to the complex and abstract nature of spirituality and its difficult quantification (26). Some scholars have attempted to quantify spirituality through subjective concepts such as hope and adaptation (26, 27). However, there are still controversies about its quantification.

Previous studies mainly assessed the effects of spiritual interventions such as reading holy books, listening to the Holy Quran, praying, spiritual discussions, meditation, and virtual spiritual education (28-31). Some other studies also focused on using spiritual psychotherapy for managing depression and anxiety (32, 33) and psychological interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. However, these interventions are usually expensive and time-consuming and thus, people have limited adherence to them (34, 35).

2. Objectives

Consequently, the present study was done to assess the effects of a multi-component spirituality education program on anxiety and depression among patients with MS.

3. Methods

This pretest-posttest two-group randomized-controlled trial was made in 2018 on a convenience sample of 64 patients with MS who referred to Alborz Province MS Association, Karaj, Iran. With a power of 80% and a confidence level of 95%, considering that the standard deviation of the anxiety of two groups according to a study by Bolhari et al. (36), 2012 was 9.42 and 5.1, it was determined that 27 patients were needed for each study group. The selection criteria were a definite diagnosis of MS based on patients’ medical records, having at least one-year history of suffering from MS, having a minimum age of 20 and maximum of 50, obtaining score 16 to 28 from the Beck Depression Inventory (i.e. mild to moderate depression), obtaining score 12 - 26 on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (mild to moderate anxiety), no history of psychotic disorders, dementia, or delirium (based on their medical records), no history of using psychiatric medications (such as anxiolytic, antidepressant, or mood-stabilizing agents) in the past one month, no drug addiction (based on their medical records), no use of psychological therapies, and having an education level of guidance school or higher. Patients were excluded if they started using psychological therapies or experienced a relapse of MS during the course of the study.

3.1. Instruments

The study instruments were the 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Each item of BDI measures the severity of one aspect or one symptom of depression. The score of each item ranges from 0 (i.e. “no problem”) to 3 (i.e. “the severest state of the problem”). Thus, the total score of BDI can range from 0 to 63. The BDI total score is interpreted as follows: 0 - 15: asymptomatic; 16 -22: mild depression; 23 - 28: moderate depression; 29 - 38: severe depression; and 39 - 63: very severe depression. The Persian version of BDI was reported to have acceptable reliability and validity (37).

The BAI consists of 21 items. Possible answers to BAI items include “never”, “mild”, “moderate”, and “severe” that are scored 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Therefore, the total BAI score may range from 0 to 63. Scores of greater than 12 show affliction by anxiety (38). The total score of BAI was reported to have a significant correlation with the total score of the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (r = 0.72), confirming its criterion validity. Moreover, the test-retest correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha value of the inventory were reported to be 0.83 and 0.92, respectively (38, 39).

3.2. Intervention

To invite patients to the study, we initially hung invitation posters in Alborz MS Association, all healthcare centers, neurologic and rehabilitative care clinics, and pharmacies that sold MS-related medications in Karaj, Iran. Consequently, 224 patients announced their consent for participation in the study. They were asked to complete the study questionnaire and then, 64 eligible patients were recruited to the study. We randomly and evenly allocated them to an experimental group and a control group using a table of random numbers. For patients in the experimental group, a spirituality education program was implemented in eight 90-min weekly sessions in the MS association. The program was developed through reviewing the programs and interventions used in previous studies (15, 28, 29, 31, 32), and contained spirituality-related components such as the goal and meaning in life, patience, reliance on God, forgiveness, beneficence, repentance, praying and benediction, thanksgiving, and meditation (Table 1). Spirituality educations were provided by a clinical psychologist and a counseling psychologist who held master’s degrees and were licensed and experienced in spirituality education. The sessions were organized by the group teaching method and time was given to the participants to ask their questions. Between educational sessions, we were in contact with the patients in the experimental group through social networking to supervise their engagement in spiritual exercises. The control group also was in contact with us separately and asked questions via social media. To facilitate the patients’ participation in the sessions, free transportation services were provided to them. On the other hand, patients in the control group were provided with routine MS-related educations and pamphlets. All patients in both groups were asked to avoid using any pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapies for anxiety and depression. Four weeks after the last educational session, the levels of patients’ anxiety and depression were reassessed in both groups.

Table 1. A Summary of the Spirituality Education Program
SessionsTopicContents
1Recognizing goal and meaning in lifeAssessment of goal and meaning in life
2Patience and reliance on GodPractical methods for relying on God; strategies for promoting patience
3RepentancePrinciples, conditions, and rites of repentance
4Praying and benedictionEffects of praying and benediction on intra and inter-personal relationships
5Spiritual meditationEffects of meditation
6ForgivenessTypes of forgiveness; finding the relationship between inability to forgive self and others
7Thanksgiving and beneficenceTypes of thanksgiving
8Review of the previous sessions

The SPSS software (V. 21) was employed for data description and analysis through frequency distribution tables and independent-sample t-tests. Moreover, the repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine the difference between the mean scores of the two groups at the baseline and after the intervention. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. The approval code was abzums.rec.1394.39. The study was registered with IRCT.IR (registration number: IRCT20170404033212N2). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

4. Results

In total, 224 volunteers announced their consent for participation in the study and completed the study questionnaires. Then, 139 were excluded. Moreover, 13 individuals voluntarily withdrew from the study and eight individuals failed to attend educational sessions due to personal or familial problems. During the study, three patients were excluded from the experimental group due to experiencing an acute relapse of MS (two patients) and using psychological therapies (one patient). On the other hand, two patients were excluded from the control group due to using psychological therapies (Figure 1).

All participants were Muslim. Moreover, while 30.8% of the participants had not experienced any relapse of MS during the past year, most of them had experienced one, two, or more than two relapses (36.5%, 15.4%, and 17.3%, respectively).

The results of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed that the distribution of depression and anxiety scores before the intervention was normal. The independent-sample t-test revealed no significant between-group difference regarding the baseline mean scores of depression and anxiety (P > 0.05; Table 2). However, the posttest mean scores of depression and anxiety were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the results of the repeated-measures ANOVA test illustrated that in the experimental group, the depression score significantly decreased from 22.86 ± 3.86 at baseline to 14.27 ± 4.62 after the intervention (P < 0.001). Additionally, the anxiety score in this group significantly decreased from 20.82 ± 4.26 at baseline to 13.55 ± 4.74 after the intervention (P < 0.001). However, in the control group, the posttest depression and anxiety scores did not significantly differ from the corresponding pretest scores (P > 0.05; Table 3). The result of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for anxiety showed that there was a significant difference between the case and control groups after the deletion of the pretest score effect. After the removal of the effect of the pretest depression scores, there was also a significant difference between the two groups.

Table 2. Baseline Demographic Characteristicsa
Group CharacteristicsExperimental (N = 29)Control (N = 30)Sig. (χ2)
Age, mean33.8833.850.23
Gender0.536
Male9 (31)20 (69)
Female10 (33.3)20 (66.7)
Marital status0.448
Single/widowed/divorced16 (55.2)14 (46.6)
Married13 (44.8)16 (53.4)
Educational status0.395
Guidance school3 (10.3)7 (23.3)
Diploma and associate degree18 (62.1)15 (50)
Bachelor’s and higher degrees8 (27.6)8 (26.7)
Length of suffering MS0.517
1 - 3 years10 (34.5)10 (33.3)
3 - 5 years8 (27.6)5 (16.7)
5 - 10 years8 (27.6)8 (26.7)
> 10 years3 (10.3)7 (23.3)
Employment status0.262
Employed13 (44.2)10 (33.3)
Unemployed16 (55.8)20 (66.7)
Depression before
Mild (16 - 22)13 (44.8)15 (50)
Moderate (23 - 28)16 (55.2)15 (50)
Anxiety before
Mild (8 - 15)4 (13.8)2 (6.7)
Moderate (16 - 25)25 (86.2)28 (93.3)
Table 3. Between- and Within-Group Comparison Concerning the Mean Scores of Anxiety and Depressiona
BeforeAfterP Valueb
Depression
Experimental22.86 ± 3.4314.27 ± 4.620.000
Control22.4 ± 3.7822.3 ± 4.350.845
P valuec0.625
Anxiety
Experimental20.82 ± 4.2613.55 ± 4.740.000
Control20.56 ± 3.2319.83 ± 3.300.08
P valuec0.79

5. Discussion

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a multi-component spirituality education program on anxiety and depression among patients with MS. The findings revealed that after the eight-session spirituality education program, the mean scores of depression and anxiety decreased significantly (P < 0.001). We were going to study the long-term outcomes of spiritual education. Given that many factors can affect anxiety and depression, it was not possible to control and monitor them, as previous studies showed that the effects of education decreased after eight weeks (40). Therefore, four weeks after intervention were considered as the appropriate time for measurement. Similarly, McCauley et al. (39) carried out a study to assess the effectiveness of a spirituality-based intervention on chronically ill patients’ health and found that their intervention was effective in reducing depressive symptoms and promoting adaptation. Moreover, Zamaniyan et al. (28) reported the effectiveness of spiritual group therapy in enhancing the quality of life and the psychological well-being of patients with breast cancer. In addition, Rickhi et al. (40) found that their spirituality education program significantly reduced the depression severity and increased the depression response and remission rates during a six-month follow-up period. The response rate in their study was as high as 56% - 64% (40). Previous studies indicated that the recovery rates of antidepressant agents were 44% - 71% while the recovery rates of cognitive-behavioral therapies were 36% - 44% (41, 42). All these findings showed the great effectiveness of spirituality education in reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other studies also reported the positive effects of spirituality-based interventions on the outcomes of patients with schizophrenia, chronic renal diseases, cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome (16, 17, 28, 31, 43).

Most patients with depression and anxiety have poor adherence to their pharmacological treatments due to the side effects of antidepressant and anxiolytic agents. Some antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can exacerbate the complications of MS such as fatigue and sexual dysfunction (44). In addition, the choice of medication varies from person to person due to differences in the type of problem and course of the disease (45). On the other hand, cognitive therapies do not pay attention to the spiritual dimensions of patients despite being costly and time-consuming. Thus, spirituality education can be used as an appropriate complementary therapy along with pharmacological and cognitive-behavioral therapies, which are used to manage depression and anxiety in people with MS.

5.1. Study Limitations

We could not completely separate the patients in the study groups and prevent them from contacting each other. Moreover, the study was done in a short period only on patients with mild and moderate depression and anxiety. Another point, which may limit the generalizability of the findings, is the fact that most of our participants were women aged 30 - 40. Therefore, our findings may not be generalizable to all patients and it requires further research.

5.2. Conclusions

The findings of the present study showed that spirituality education was effective in reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety among patients with MS. Thus, spirituality education programs need to be implemented by MS associations to support patients with MS and reduce their depression and anxiety. Moreover, given the positive effects of spirituality-related components such as praying, benediction, and repentance, clergies can be invited for providing spirituality educations.

Acknowledgements

References

  • 1.

    Mahad DH, Trapp BD, Lassmann H. Pathological mechanisms in progressive multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol. 2015;14(2):183-93. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70256-X. [PubMed: 25772897].

  • 2.

    Milo R, Miller A. Revised diagnostic criteria of multiple sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev. 2014;13(4-5):518-24. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.01.012. [PubMed: 24424194].

  • 3.

    Glanz BI, Degano IR, Rintell DJ, Chitnis T, Weiner HL, Healy BC. Work productivity in relapsing multiple sclerosis: associations with disability, depression, fatigue, anxiety, cognition, and health-related quality of life. Value Health. 2012;15(8):1029-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2012.07.010. [PubMed: 23244804].

  • 4.

    Brenner P, Piehl F. Fatigue and depression in multiple sclerosis: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Acta Neurol Scand. 2016;134 Suppl 200:47-54. doi: 10.1111/ane.12648. [PubMed: 27580906].

  • 5.

    Irvine H, Davidson C, Hoy K, Lowe-Strong A. Psychosocial adjustment to multiple sclerosis: Exploration of identity redefinition. Disabil Rehabil. 2009;31(8):599-606. doi: 10.1080/09638280802243286. [PubMed: 19280434].

  • 6.

    Azami M, YektaKooshali MH, Shohani M, Khorshidi A, Mahmudi L. Correction: Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2019;14(7). e0219466. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219466. [PubMed: 31287842]. [PubMed Central: PMC6615610].

  • 7.

    Patten SB, Marrie RA, Carta MG. Depression in multiple sclerosis. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2017;29(5):463-72. doi: 10.1080/09540261.2017.1322555. [PubMed: 28681616].

  • 8.

    Bussing A, Wirth AG, Humbroich K, Gerbershagen K, Schimrigk S, Haupts M, et al. Faith as a resource in patients with multiple sclerosis is associated with a positive interpretation of illness and experience of gratitude/awe. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:128575. doi: 10.1155/2013/128575. [PubMed: 24319471]. [PubMed Central: PMC3844211].

  • 9.

    Pompili M, Forte A, Palermo M, Stefani H, Lamis DA, Serafini G, et al. Suicide risk in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of current literature. J Psychosom Res. 2012;73(6):411-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2012.09.011. [PubMed: 23148807].

  • 10.

    Marrie RA, Reider N, Cohen J, Stuve O, Trojano M, Sorensen PS, et al. A systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of cancer in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2015;21(3):294-304. doi: 10.1177/1352458514564489. [PubMed: 25533302]. [PubMed Central: PMC4429168].

  • 11.

    Boeschoten RE, Braamse AMJ, Beekman ATF, Cuijpers P, van Oppen P, Dekker J, et al. Prevalence of depression and anxiety in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol Sci. 2017;372:331-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.11.067. [PubMed: 28017241].

  • 12.

    Boeschoten RE, Nieuwenhuis MM, van Oppen P, Uitdehaag BM, Polman CH, Collette EH, et al. Feasibility and outcome of a web-based self-help intervention for depressive symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. J Neurol Sci. 2012;315(1-2):104-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.11.016. [PubMed: 22133479].

  • 13.

    Strober LB. Quality of life and psychological well-being in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS): Importance of adopting a biopsychosocial model. Disabil Health J. 2018;11(4):555-61. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2018.05.003. [PubMed: 29891186]. [PubMed Central: PMC6177284].

  • 14.

    Hosseini SH, Rafiei A, Janbabai G, Tirgari A, Zakavi A, Yazdani J, et al. Comparison of religious cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and citalopram on depression and anxiety among women with breast cancer: A Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Asian J Pharm Res Health Care. 2016;9(1):59. doi: 10.18311/ajprhc/2017/8364.

  • 15.

    Bagheri S, Naziri G, Bolhari J. The effectiveness of spiritual group therapy on the treatment of depression and anxiety in people with love trauma syndrome. Int J Psychol. 2012;47:77.

  • 16.

    Rafferty KA, Billig AK, Mosack KE. Spirituality, religion, and health: The role of communication, appraisals, and coping for individuals living with chronic illness. J Relig Health. 2015;54(5):1870-85. doi: 10.1007/s10943-014-9965-5. [PubMed: 25341570].

  • 17.

    Koenig HG, Berk LS, Daher NS, Pearce MJ, Bellinger DL, Robins CJ, et al. Religious involvement is associated with greater purpose, optimism, generosity and gratitude in persons with major depression and chronic medical illness. J Psychosom Res. 2014;77(2):135-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2014.05.002. [PubMed: 25077855].

  • 18.

    Tedrus GM, Fonseca LC, Hoehr GC. Spirituality aspects in patients with epilepsy. Seizure. 2014;23(1):25-8. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2013.09.005. [PubMed: 24094727].

  • 19.

    Groarke A, Curtis R, Groarke JM, Hogan MJ, Gibbons A, Kerin M. Post-traumatic growth in breast cancer: how and when do distress and stress contribute? Psychooncology. 2017;26(7):967-74. doi: 10.1002/pon.4243. [PubMed: 27502890].

  • 20.

    Wachelder EM, Moulaert VR, van Heugten C, Gorgels T, Wade DT, Verbunt JA. Dealing with a life changing event: The influence of spirituality and coping style on quality of life after survival of a cardiac arrest or myocardial infarction. Resuscitation. 2016;109:81-6. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2016.09.025. [PubMed: 27737773].

  • 21.

    Burkhart L, Schmidt W. Measuring effectiveness of a spiritual care pedagogy in nursing education. J Prof Nurs. 2012;28(5):315-21. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2012.03.003. [PubMed: 23006654].

  • 22.

    Sankhe A, Dalal K, Save D, Sarve P. Evaluation of the effect of Spiritual care on patients with generalized anxiety and depression: A randomized controlled study. Psychol Health Med. 2017;22(10):1186-91. doi: 10.1080/13548506.2017.1290260. [PubMed: 28276950].

  • 23.

    Sajadi M, Niazi N, Khosravi S, Yaghobi A, Rezaei M, Koenig HG. Effect of spiritual counseling on spiritual well-being in Iranian women with cancer: A randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;30:79-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.12.011. [PubMed: 29389484].

  • 24.

    Kyriakoulis K, Patelarou A, Laliotis A, Wan AC, Matalliotakis M, Tsiou C, et al. Educational strategies for teaching evidence-based practice to undergraduate health students: Systematic review. J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2016;13:34. doi: 10.3352/jeehp.2016.13.34. [PubMed: 27649902]. [PubMed Central: PMC5066070].

  • 25.

    Sucylaite J. Nurses’ spiritual learning at university. Proced Soc Behav Sci. 2013;89:199-204. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.08.834.

  • 26.

    Weathers E, McCarthy G, Coffey A. Concept analysis of spirituality: An evolutionary approach. Nurs Forum. 2016;51(2):79-96. doi: 10.1111/nuf.12128. [PubMed: 25644366].

  • 27.

    Cohen MZ, Holley LM, Wengel SP, Rabbi Mendel K. A platform for nursing research on spirituality and religiosity: Definitions and measures. West J Nurs Res. 2012;34(6):795-817. doi: 10.1177/0193945912444321. [PubMed: 22517440].

  • 28.

    Zamaniyan S, Bolhari J, Naziri G, Akrami M, Hosseini S. Effectiveness of spiritual group therapy on quality of life and spiritual well-being among patients with breast cancer. Iran J Med Sci. 2016;41(2):140-4. [PubMed: 26989285]. [PubMed Central: PMC4764964].

  • 29.

    Beiranvand S, Noparast M, Eslamizade N, Saeedikia S. The effects of religion and spirituality on postoperative pain, hemodynamic functioning and anxiety after cesarean section. Acta Med Iran. 2014;52(12):909-15. [PubMed: 25530054].

  • 30.

    Ballew SH, Hannum SM, Gaines JM, Marx KA, Parrish JM. The role of spiritual experiences and activities in the relationship between chronic illness and psychological well-being. J Relig Health. 2012;51(4):1386-96. doi: 10.1007/s10943-011-9498-0. [PubMed: 21604081].

  • 31.

    Asadollahi F, Neshatdoost Taher H, Kalantary M, Mehrabi HOA, Afshar H, Daghaghzadeh H. [Effectiveness of spiritual therapy on somatic symptoms in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome]. J Res Behave Sci. 2014. Persian.

  • 32.

    Mohammadi MR, Salmanian M, Ghobari-Bonab B, Bolhari J. Spiritual psychotherapy for adolescents with conduct disorder: Designing and piloting a therapeutic package. Iran J Psychiatry. 2017;12(4):258-64. [PubMed: 29472952]. [PubMed Central: PMC5816915].

  • 33.

    Rosmarin DH, Salcone S, Harper D, Forester BP. Spiritual psychotherapy for inpatient, residential, and intensive treatment. Am J Psychother. 2019;72(3):75-83. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20180046. [PubMed: 31533453].

  • 34.

    Mohr DC, Ho J, Duffecy J, Baron KG, Lehman KA, Jin L, et al. Perceived barriers to psychological treatments and their relationship to depression. J Clin Psychol. 2010;66(4):394-409. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20659. [PubMed: 20127795]. [PubMed Central: PMC2907887].

  • 35.

    Ringle VA, Read KL, Edmunds JM, Brodman DM, Kendall PC, Barg F, et al. Barriers to and facilitators in the implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth anxiety in the community. Psychiatr Serv. 2015;66(9):938-45. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201400134. [PubMed: 25975886]. [PubMed Central: PMC4869696].

  • 36.

    Bolhari J, Naziri GH, Zamanian S. [Effectiveness of spiritual group therapy in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress of women with breast cancer]. Woman Soc. 2012;3(1):85-116. Persian.

  • 37.

    Ghassemzadeh H, Mojtabai R, Karamghadiri N, Ebrahimkhani N. Psychometric properties of a Persian-language version of the Beck Depression Inventory--second edition: BDI-II-PERSIAN. Depress Anxiety. 2005;21(4):185-92. doi: 10.1002/da.20070. [PubMed: 16075452].

  • 38.

    Kaviani H, Mousavi AS. Psychometric properties of the Persian version of Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Tehran Univ Med J TUMS Publ. 2008;66(2):136-40.

  • 39.

    McCauley J, Haaz S, Tarpley MJ, Koenig HG, Bartlett SJ. A randomized controlled trial to assess effectiveness of a spiritually-based intervention to help chronically ill adults. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2011;41(1):91-105. doi: 10.2190/PM.41.1.h. [PubMed: 21495524].

  • 40.

    Rickhi B, Moritz S, Reesal R, Xu TJ, Paccagnan P, Urbanska B, et al. A spirituality teaching program for depression: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2011;42(3):315-29. doi: 10.2190/PM.42.3.f. [PubMed: 22439299].

  • 41.

    DeRubeis RJ, Hollon SD, Amsterdam JD, Shelton RC, Young PR, Salomon RM, et al. Cognitive therapy vs medications in the treatment of moderate to severe depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(4):409-16. doi: 10.1001/archpsyc.62.4.409. [PubMed: 15809408].

  • 42.

    Li C, Xu D, Hu M, Tan Y, Zhang P, Li G, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavior therapy for patients with diabetes and depression. J Psychosom Res. 2017;95:44-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.02.006. [PubMed: 28314548].

  • 43.

    Jim HS, Pustejovsky JE, Park CL, Danhauer SC, Sherman AC, Fitchett G, et al. Religion, spirituality, and physical health in cancer patients: A meta-analysis. Cancer. 2015;121(21):3760-8. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29353. [PubMed: 26258868]. [PubMed Central: PMC4618080].

  • 44.

    Cordeau D, Courtois F. Sexual disorders in women with MS: Assessment and management. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2014;57(5):337-47. doi: 10.1016/j.rehab.2014.05.008. [PubMed: 24930089].

  • 45.

    Nathoo N, Mackie A. Treating depression in multiple sclerosis with antidepressants: A brief review of clinical trials and exploration of clinical symptoms to guide treatment decisions. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2017;18:177-80. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2017.10.004. [PubMed: 29141805].

Copyright © 2020, Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease Care. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited.