Effectiveness of spiritual health-based interventions in improving health indicators of patients in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Spiritual health interventions have increasingly been recognized for their potential to improve general health outcomes. This study undertakes a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate their effectiveness on patient health in Iran. Data were gathered from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and other relevant sources without time restriction. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using Stata version 16. Analysis of 53 studies, comprising both quasi-experimental and clinical trial designs, revealed 94 reported outcomes. Significant enhancements were observed in anxiety (SMD: -1.32), hope (SMD: 2.56), quality of life (SMD: 3.48), stress (SMD: -1.57), depression (SMD: -1.57), spiritual health (SMD: 3.27), and sleep quality (SMD: -1.71), while pain control showed no significant effect (SMD: -0.64). The findings of the current study demonstrate that, despite certain limitations, interventions grounded in spiritual health can effectively enhance both physical and psychological health indicators in patients; however, due to inherent study limitations, cautious interpretation is advised. Future research should leverage advanced tools, particularly artificial intelligence, to assess outcomes objectively, reducing reliance on self-reported data. Studies should also adhere to internationally recognized guidelines to minimize bias and employ larger sample sizes to improve the robustness and generalizability of findings.