Musarezaie, A., Moeini, M., Taleghani, F., & Mehrabi, T. (2014). Does spiritual care program affect levels of depression in patients with Leukemia? A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 3, 96-9531.139678.

To determine the effects of a spiritual care and support program on levels of depression in patients with leukemia

Patients in intensive care randomly were assigned to the spiritual care or control groups. Patients in the control group could receive the spiritual care program after the completion of the study. The program encouraged a supportive presence through the expression of feelings, needs, and concerns, and provided education regarding disease, treatment, and supportive touch. To support religious rituals, patients were provided a prayer rug, rosary, and a veil for women. Participants also had access to an MP3 player and earphones to listen to prayers and passages from the Quran. Readings of prayers and the Quran at the bedside were implemented by a clergyman. Study measures were obtained at baseline and on day 3 by an individual blinded to study group assignment.

• N = 64  
• MEAN AGE = 41.68 years
• MALES: 60.5%, FEMALES: 39.5%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All participants were diagnosed with leukemia, and most participants had acute myeloid leukemia.
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: About 50% of participants had a high school education. The mean time since diagnosis was 24.32 months in the experimental group and 18.08 months in the control group.

• SITE: Single-site    
• SETTING TYPE: Inpatient    
• LOCATION: Iran

• PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial

• Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS)

The mean postintervention score in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (p < .001), and the change in depression scores in the intervention group was marginally significant (p < .07). Baseline data and changes for both groups were not provided.

This intervention, which included support and psychoeducational components along with spiritual support, was associated with reduced depression scores.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)
• Findings not generalizable
• Other limitations/explanation: Findings may not be applicable to other cultural groups and individuals. The study had a very short duration. The treatment involved was not described, so it is not clear whether some patients were more acutely ill than others.

Supportive and psychoeducational interventions that include a component of spiritual support may be beneficial for hospitalized patients with leukemia. The provision of holistic supportive care is a principle of nursing care. These findings provide marginal support for the efficacy of these interventions during short-term hospitalization. There were several study limitations.