Investigating the Effect of Spiritual Care on the Hope of Diabetic Patients Referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association: A Clinical Trial

Background and Purpose of the Study: The core of human health is spiritual well-being, and patients' perceptions of the importance of fruitful care can be managed through chronic illnesses. As the biggest epidemic of the century, diabetes affects almost all age groups in all countries; this chronic illness has many serious complications that not only does it affect the quality of life of patients but it can also lead to happiness and hope. According to the researches, spirituality is a strong predictor of hope. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of spiritual care on the hope of patients with diabetes referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association. Material and Methods: A clinical trial was conducted on 58 diabetic patients referred to the Iranian Diabetes Association of Tehran in 2019. Samples were randomly assigned to two intervention and control groups. Spirituality workshop sessions (six ninety-minute sessions, 1 day per week) were conducted for the intervention group. The Miller Hope Scale (MHS) was completed in both groups before and after the study. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test and chi-square test using SPSS, version 16, software. Results: The average age of patients in the intervention and control groups was 51 ± 11.65 years. About 67% of the control group and 60% of the intervention group members were female. Most patients had type 2 diabetes (about 75%). On average, patients had diabetes about 13±8.46 years. None of them had a history of hospitalization due to diabetes. The most common complications were in the cardiovascular intervention group and in the control group of ocular and cardiovascular. The results showed that the mean score of hope immediately after the intervention was significantly higher in the intervention group (mean and standard deviation of 200.89±22.22 vs 167.82±28.48, p<0.001). Also, three weeks after the intervention, the mean score of hope in the intervention group significantly increased as compared to the control group (200.93±23.29 vs 165.11±28.13 and p <0.001). Conclusion: Given the positive impact of spiritual care on patients' hope in this study, in providing routine nursing care, a reassessment is required. Promoting the patient's spiritual care, while helping to improve his or her health, further enhances the human dignity of the patient. Nurses can be advised to consider the spiritual aspect of the patient as the most important human being in addition to the care provided.