The effectiveness of spiritual interventions in the workplace for work-related health outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM

To investigate the effectiveness of spiritual interventions in the workplace for different health outcomes through the use of a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND

Most studies including spirituality in the workplace investigated it at the organisational/business level, while giving a secondary value to the well-being and quality of life of the workers.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis carried out on the following databases: SCOPUS, PubMed and Web of Science. Spiritual interventions investigating work-related health outcomes were included. Then, meta-analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

From a total of 2,832 studies, 7 articles were included in the systematic review and 6 in the meta-analysis. Spiritual interventions, as compared to controls, improved the health outcomes of the workers (standard mean difference (SMD), -1.42; 95% CI, -1.98, -0.86; p < .001; I  = 96%). Subanalyses revealed that yoga was an effective intervention and that stress was reduced by these interventions.

CONCLUSION

Spiritual interventions in the workplace seem to be effective in improving workers' health. Nevertheless, the high heterogeneity and limited number of studies may hinder more robust conclusions at the moment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

The use of spiritual interventions should be considered in workplaces in order to reduce the stress and other negative outcomes.