Effects of prayer on the vital signs of patients with chronic kidney disease: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of prayer on blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in patients with chronic kidney disease and learn their perception of the intervention. Method: A randomized controlled trial, double blind with a sample of volunteers, randomized into an intervention group (n=42) and a control group (n=37). Questionnaires addressing socio-demographic, clinical and spiritual characteristics and the Duke University Religious Index were applied. Blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured. The prayer was conducted at three different moments on alternating weeks. The qualitative data were organized and analyzed through Thematic Analysis. Results: The sample consisted of 95 randomized volunteers. In the intra-group analysis, a statistically significant reduction (P<0001) of blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate was observed in all evaluations of the people who were prayed for. The qualitative analysis resulted in the themes Prayer in a "Place of Suffering" and Positive Evaluation and in the sub-themes Relief from Suffering, Hope for Improvement, and Coping with Hemodialysis. Conclusion: Prayer reduced blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease, and the volunteers' evaluation of the intervention was positive. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR-2zv39y.

Spirituality and practice of the euphemism in the workplace: perceptions of a nursing team

“…Although the practice of euphemism in dealing with the patient has not been observed, the fragments express the benefits of care centered on spirituality. These results corroborate the literature (9,(18)(19)(20) that reports the benefits on the patient's health status: relief of tension, increased feeling of hope and, especially, reduced anxiety. Also in this perspective, Watson (9) highlights the importance of the nurse developing the patient's personal and spiritual potentialities, considering that this professional is an active participant in the care process and can promote benefits to that, such as the self-recovery of human integrity and harmony between who cares and who is cared for.…”

“…The spiritual dimension has been widely valued and recognized for its positive results in the workplace (1,9,12,(18)(19)(20) . Despite this, it is observed that it is still a little-explored element as a healthcare practice, especially in the hospital environment.…”

Avaliação da espiritualidade e religiosidade de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise / Evaluation of spirituality and religiosity of patients with chronic renal disease on hemodialysis

“…Por isso, muitos buscam a fé e a religião como forma de suporte e alívio para seu sofrimento. Diante disso, muitos buscam na espiritualidade e religiosidade, uma forma de dar sentido à vida, obter esperança e manter-se em paz, durante acontecimentos graves (20) , como no caso a doença renal crônica.…”

Spiritual care performed in a drug user clinic

“…This technique causes a feeling of well-being. This is because, in a relaxed state, a person is less likely to act impulsively, and learning this technique can be a tool to manage the need (craving) and anxiety symptoms (17) .…”