Langone Explores Spirituality as Stress Relief for Cancer Patients
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have found that discussing religion and spirituality during radiation therapy can help manage stress symptoms in patients with gynecologic cancers.
In collaboration with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the research team used the FICA Spiritual History Tool to explore how belief systems affect patient experience.
- Faith
- Importance
- Community
- Addressing spiritual needs
Representatives from Mount Sinai Health System and NYU interviewed 11 women from various faiths, including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish, who had received external beam radiation therapy for gynecological malignancies.
The study found that an average of nine and a half out of 11 questions were thought to be helpful by participants when asked.
Author's summary: Spirituality helps cancer patients.