Spiritual Support in Advanced Heart Failure

A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study

Authors

  • Jackie Miles Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
  • Linda Ross University of South Wales
  • Paul Jarvis University of South Wales
  • Sara Pickett Swansea University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.41171

Keywords:

heart failure, spirituality, spiritual interventions, randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Heart failure is a complex, progressive disease with an uncertain trajectory. Those with advanced heart failure (AHF) experience substantial spiritual needs. Spiritual interventions may enhance quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression, but studies are limited and none have focused exclusively on the AHF patient population. This is the first feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) to ascertain the clinical and cost effectiveness of a spiritual intervention (spiritual support) in AHF patients. A total of 47 AHF patients were randomized to control (standard care, n = 25) or intervention (standard care plus spiritual support, n = 22) groups. Spiritual support consisted of a one-hour discussion facilitated by trained volunteers using a “Spiritual Enquiry Tool” at two-monthly intervals over six months. Participants completed validated measures of spiritual well-being, depression/anxiety, and health-related quality of life (QoL). Purpose-designed questionnaires gathered information on demographics, NHS resource use, confounding factors, and satisfaction with spiritual support. The new information was to help researchers design an RCT to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of spiritual support within a holistic model of care for AHF patients. Future trends worthy of further investigation include (i) the possible positive effect of spiritual support on QoL and anxiety, and (ii) possible lower NHS resource use and cost savings in patients receiving spiritual support. Overall, the key message of this study is that researchers must evaluate whether the cost of running a well-designed trial of this nature is justified in the current economic climate, where funding bodies are looking for value for money.

Author Biographies

  • Jackie Miles, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

    Jackie Miles (nee Austin) is Lead Nurse for Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation Research at the Department of Research and Development, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, South Wales, UK, and is Visiting Professor at the School of Care Sciences, University of South Wales.

  • Linda Ross, University of South Wales

    Linda Ross is Professor of Nursing (Spirituality) at the School of Care Sciences, University of South Wales, and a Visiting Professor at Staffordshire University, UK.

  • Paul Jarvis, University of South Wales

    Paul Jarvis is a Statistician and Lecturer in computing in the School of Computing and Maths, Faculty of Computing Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales.

  • Sara Pickett, Swansea University

    Sara Pickett is a Health Economist Researcher, who at the time of the research was at the Swansea Centre for Health Economics (SCHE), Swansea University, UK.

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Published

2021-03-01

How to Cite

Miles, J., Ross, L., Jarvis, P., & Pickett, S. (2021). Spiritual Support in Advanced Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study. Health and Social Care Chaplaincy, 9(2), 191–215. https://doi.org/10.1558/hscc.41171

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