Spirituality, Functional Gain, and Quality of Life in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Religiosity and spirituality have been associated with higher recovery rates, greater adherence to treatments, and better levels of quality of life in patients with heart disease. Objectives: To evaluate the association between spirituality, functional gain, and improved quality of life in patients in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program. Methods: This prospective cohort study evaluated the association between functional and quality of life gains during a cardiovascular rehabilitation program and a religiosity/spirituality index based on a validated scale. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms were screened for control purposes. P values < 0.05 were considered significant for all analyses. Results: The study followed 57 patients (66 ± 12 years old; 71.7% male; 76% with coronary artery disease). The Spearman correlation coefficient did not show any associations between increases in functional capacity and organizational (rs = 0.110; p = 0.421), non-organizational (rs = −0.007; p = 0.421), or intrinsic (rs = −0.083; p = 0.543) religiosity. Furthermore, no associations were detected between the results of a quality of life score and organizational (rs = 0.22; p = 0.871), non-organizational (rs = 0.191; p = 0.159), or intrinsic (rs = 0.108; p = 0.429) religiosity. Conclusion: No association was detected between functional and quality of life gains and organizational, non-organizational, or intrinsic religiosity in this sample of patients undergoing cardiovascular rehabilitation.