Spirituality

Promoting Spirituality Improves Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

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Spirituality, religion linked to heart health among Black Americans | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “Spirituality-Based Intervention in Hypertension: EFfects on Blood PrEssure and EndotheliaL Function-FEEL Trial Results” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11759529/) Teixeira and colleagues compared the effectiveness of an online based spirituality intervention to a routine care control condition on patients with hypertension. Hey found that the spirituality intervention produced significant reductions in systolic blood pressure and flow mediated dilation.

 

Spirituality improved blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Teixeira MEF, Barroso WKS, Brandão AA, et al. Spirituality-Based Intervention in Hypertension: EFfects on Blood PrEssure and EndotheliaL Function-FEEL Trial Results. Glob Heart. 2025;20(1):6. Published 2025 Jan 21. doi:10.5334/gh.1390

 

Abstract

Background:

Emerging evidence suggests that spirituality improves patient outcomes, however, this has undergone only limited evaluation in randomized trials. Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Objectives:

To evaluate whether a spirituality-based intervention, compared to a control group, can reduce blood pressure (BP) and improve endothelial function after 12 weeks in patients with mild or moderate hypertension (HTN).

Methods:

Open randomized controlled trial of adults with stage I or II hypertension. Following baseline evaluation, including lifestyle questionnaires, and measurements of office and central blood pressure (BP), home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and flow mediated dilation (FMD), patients were randomized to a spirituality-based intervention, which included training for forgiveness, gratitude, optimism, and life purpose delivered by daily WhatsApp communications, or to the control group (CG). Main outcomes were between group difference in change from baseline to 12 weeks in office and central BP, HBPM and FMD, using t-tests, analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusting for baseline differences, and, in addition, missing data imputation as a sensitivity analysis.

Results:

Fifty-one patients were randomized to spirituality-based intervention and 49 to control group. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between groups. Spirituality training, compared with control, improved 7.6 mmHg office systolic blood pressure (SBP), 4.1 mmHg central SBP and 4.1 percentage points FMD. Compared to control group, t-test demonstrated statistical significance for office SBP (–7.04 mmHg, p = 0.047) and FMD (7.46 percentage points, p < 0.001), and ANCOVA adjustment for baseline differences showed statistical significance for central SBP (–6.99 mmHg, p = 0.038) and FFMD (7.95 percentage points, p < 0.001) There was no significant effect on HBPM.

Conclusion:

A spirituality-based intervention was associated with improved control of office SBP and FMD. These findings will be prospectively evaluated in a nationwide larger and well-powered RCT.

 

Spirituality has Positive Relationships with Well-being and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

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Spirituality, religion linked to heart health among Black Americans | National Institutes of Health (NIH)

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “The Effect of Medication Adherence and Spirituality in Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11855639/) Kavvadia and colleagues examined the relationships of spirituality with health and quality of life in patients with the  Rheumatic Diseases of rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, They report that spirituality is significantly associated with the quality of life of these patients and their physical and psychological health.

 

Spirituality was associated with enhanced well-being and quality of life in patients with Rheumatic Diseases.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Kavvadia M, Saridi M, Toska A, et al. The Effect of Medication Adherence and Spirituality in Quality of Life of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases. Healthcare (Basel). 2025;13(4):436. Published 2025 Feb 18. doi:10.3390/healthcare13040436

 

Abstract

Background: Spirituality is significantly associated with the quality of life of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases, helping them to cope with pain and improve emotional well-being. There is a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between spirituality, quality of life and treatment adherence in patients with rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as relevant studies, especially in the Greek population, are limited. Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of medication adherence and spirituality on the quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus from the region of Crete. Data were collected via a self-administrated questionnaire consisting of four parts, including questions regarding demographic and clinical information; the WHOQoL-BREF, 3, FACIT-Sp-12, and SMAQ questionnaires were used. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05 for all analyses. Results: The study sample consisted of 115 participants, with the majority being women (90%). The majority of the participants suffered from RA (62%), while 38% suffered from SLE. The mean age of the participants was 49.15 years (SD = 11.7), and 46% described their health as good. We found that the dimensions of spirituality are positively related to the dimensions of quality of life. The peace dimension has a strong correlation with psychological health (r = 0.679, p < 0.001) and overall quality of life (QOL Global, r = 0.671, p < 0.001). Meaning also shows a positive correlation with psychological health (r = 0.563, p < 0.001) and overall quality of life (r = 0.506, p < 0.001), whereas adherence to medication shows a low but positive correlation with overall spirituality (r = 0.192, p = 0.040). Conclusions: The findings support that spirituality can be a protective mechanism, improving the mental resilience and adaptability of patients. This study has the potential to contribute to the development of evidence-based guidelines for the integration of spiritual care into clinical practice, with the objective of enhancing the psychological well-being and overall quality of life of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Spirituality of Science

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Fritjof Capra on Science and Spirituality

By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.

 

In today’s Research News article “Spirituality of Science: Implications for Meaning, Well-Being, and Learning” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11827284/ ) Preston and colleagues examined ‘spirituality of science: feelings of meaning, awe, and connection derived through scientific ideas.’ And found that it predicted meaning in life and emotional well-being even in atheists and agnostics.

 

Spirituality extends beyond religion.

 

CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies

 

This and other Contemplative Studies posts are also available on the Contemplative Studies Blog  http://contemplative-studies.org

 

Study Summary

 

Preston JL, Coleman TJ 3rd, Shin F. Spirituality of Science: Implications for Meaning, Well-Being, and Learning. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2025 Apr;51(4):632-643. doi: 10.1177/01461672231191356. Epub 2023 Aug 25. PMID: 37632126; PMCID: PMC11827284.

 

Abstract

Scientists often refer to spiritual experiences with science. This research addresses this unique component of science attitudes—spirituality of science: feelings of meaning, awe, and connection derived through scientific ideas. Three studies (N = 1,197) examined individual differences in Spirituality of Science (SoS) and its benefits for well-being, meaning, and learning. Spirituality of Science was related to belief in science, but unlike other science attitudes, spirituality of science was also associated with trait awe and general spirituality (Study 1). spirituality of science also predicted meaning in life and emotional well-being in a group of atheists and agnostics, showing that scientific sources of spirituality can provide similar psychological benefits as religious spirituality (Study 2). Finally, Spirituality of Science predicted stronger engagement and recall of scientific information (Study 3). Results provide support for an experience of spirituality related to science, with benefits for meaning, well-being, and learning.

 

No Self

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May be an illustration
I asked ChatGPT “explain the buddhist idea of no self”
This is its response that is very accurate, understandable, and appropriate.
The Buddhist idea of “no self,” also known as anatta or anatman, is the concept that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul that exists independently from the rest of the universe. Instead, Buddhism teaches that all phenomena, including individuals, are impermanent, constantly changing, and interconnected.
According to Buddhist philosophy, the concept of a fixed self or soul is a delusion that leads to suffering. The belief in a permanent self leads to attachment, clinging, and craving for things that we mistakenly think will make us happy. This attachment and clinging, in turn, lead to suffering when these things inevitably change or are taken away from us.
Buddhism teaches that our sense of self is actually a constantly changing combination of five aggregates or skandhas: form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. These aggregates are not permanent or independent but are constantly changing and influenced by various causes and conditions.
In other words, Buddhism views the self as a process rather than a thing. It is a constantly changing and evolving phenomenon that arises due to various causes and conditions. Understanding this idea of no self can help us let go of attachment and craving, leading to a more peaceful and contented state of mind.