Spirituality and neurosurgery: A salutogenic current perspective

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Psychology
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• Spirituality plays a role in patient well-being and coping mechanisms.
• Neurosurgical interventions present unique physical and psychological challenges for patients.
• Holistic care approaches are increasingly recognized for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the influence of spirituality on prehabilitation and post-operative outcomes in neurosurgery patients.
• To explore the coping mechanisms of neurosurgery patients in relation to their spirituality.
• To assess the feasibility of integrating spiritual care into neurosurgical practice.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane databases.
• Identification and analysis of 381 relevant studies.
• Adherence to PRISMA guidelines for systematic review methodology.

Main Results:

• Spirituality significantly enhances multiple domains of neurosurgical patient care, fostering meaning, hope, and comfort.
• Patients with higher spirituality levels demonstrate improved post-operative outcomes, including faster recovery and greater satisfaction.
• Neuroimaging studies suggest neurobiological correlates of spiritual experiences, and the WHO includes spirituality in palliative care.

Conclusions:

• Spirituality tools like meditation, yoga, and support groups offer beneficial outcomes for neurosurgery patients.
• These practices can be safely integrated into neurosurgical care for a salutogenic approach.
• This review supports a holistic model of care that balances mind, body, and spirit in neurosurgery.