Religion and rehabilitation

The impact of religion and spirituality on physical and emotional health is an issue of significant interest these days.  And it’s launched an entirely new line of research dedicated to understanding more about the positive benefits religion and spirituality have on healing and quality of life.  But do religion and spirituality really play a role when it comes to recovering from major physical injuries?

According to a recent study published in Rehabilitation Psychology, the answer is yes.

The study is called, “Religion and spirituality in rehabilitation outcomes among individuals with traumatic brain injury.”  It finds, among other things, that individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can improve their rehabilitation if they feel close to a higher power.

TBI is a serious public health concern, and there are a number of situations than can lead to this type of injury.  For example, participants in the study include those who'd sustained head injuries from gunshot wounds, car accidents, pedestrian accidents, strikes from blunt objects, and the list goes on.

The study indicates that religion and spirituality play significant roles in determining the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process.  In short, it says that most participants who had higher levels of religious well-being (a sense of connection to a higher power) also experienced better emotional and physical rehabilitation outcomes.

One of the study’s authors is quoted as follows:

“This study is among a growing mass of literature showing that religion can be studied in a rigorous scientific manner. . . . It also validates scientifically that religion has some of the positive effects that those who experience it have touted.” (read more)

Undoubtedly, more research on this topic will be requested.  But these findings certainly deserve the attention of the health care community — and should lead to further interest in the interconnection of religion, spirituality, and healing.

Want to read how an individual was healed of a head injury through prayer in Christian Science?  (read more)