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June 2007 Article of the Month
This month's article selection is by Chaplain John Ehman,
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center-Penn Presbyterian, Philadelphia PA.
Kaufman, Y., Anaki, D., Binns, M. and Freedman, M. [Behavioural Neurology Program, Division of Neurology, Baycrest, Canada; ykaufman@herzoghospital.org]. "Cognitive decline in Alzheimer disease: impact of spirituality, religiosity, and QOL." Neurology 68, no. 18 (May 1, 2007): 1509-1514.
SUMMARY and COMMENT: Much of the research on spirituality in relation to Alzheimer's Disease has been focused on caregivers--and their use of spirituality in coping with the stress of caregiving--rather than on the influence of spirituality on patients themselves. However, the present research finds that "[h]igher levels of private religious activities and of spirituality predict slower cognitive decline in patients" with Alzheimer's Disease "after controlling for age, sex, education, and cognitive level at baseline" [p. 1511]
This longitudinal study examined 70 patients--aged 49 to 94--receiving treatment at the Behavioral Neurology Clinic at Bayside (Canada). They were assessed for QOL, spirituality and religiosity upon recruitment, with a mean longitudinal follow-up of 3.14 years. Spirituality and religiosity were assessed using the five-item Duke Religion Index (DUREL) plus two items from the NIH/Fetzer Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality.
The DUREL is a five-item measure designed to assess organizational and private religious and spiritual practices. The DUREL has three subscales: attendance (one item that asks about frequency of attending a religious meeting), private religious practices (one item that asks about frequency of spending time in private religious activities), and intrinsic religiosity (three items that ask about religious belief or experience). The attendance item assesses frequency of attendance at formal public religious institutions…. The Overall Self-Ranking subscale from the NIH/Fetzer Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality is a two-item scale. …One item refers to level of religiosity, and the other refers to spirituality. The interviewer asks participants to what extent they assess themselves as being spiritual or religious. [p. 1510].
For more on the DUREL, see: Koenig, H., Parkerson, G. R., Jr. and Meador, K. G., "Religion index for psychiatric research: a 5-item measure for use in health outcome studies," American Journal of Psychiatry 154, no. 6 (June 1997): 885-886 or Hill, P. C. and Hood, R. W., eds., Measures of Religiosity (Birmingham: Religious Education Press, 1999): 130-132. For the items from the NIH/Fetzer Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality, see: items 37-38 on p. 88 of the Multidimensional Measurement of Religiousness/Spirituality for Use in Health Research (available as a PDF from the Fetzer Foundation).
While higher levels of spirituality and private religious practice were associated with slower cognitive decline in these patients, the study did not find such an association with attendance, self-rated religiosity, or quality-of-life domains; and the authors speculate about reasons including possible difficulties of Alzheimer's sufferers in participating in social religious activities [--see the discussion on p. 1511].
The authors consider potential weakensses to their research, such as sample size, unattended variables, and limits to the measures used [--see p. 1512]. Still, the article presents a wealth of statistical data, is concisely written, contains an extensive bibliography, and suggests a number of options for follow-up study. For chaplains who have personally observed how religion/spirituality seem to be powerful aspects of the lives of patients with Alzheimer's, this work by Kaufman, et al. points to intriguing opportunities for further research that may guide pastoral intervention.
Suggestions for the Use of the Article for Discussion in CPE:
The article presents a great deal of information for its brevity, especially regarding statistical results. This may actually be problematic for some CPE students who are not versed in research methodology, but the presentation should be manageable for most students, especially if they are advised to focus on the introductory and discussion sections. Students should appreciate the opening paragraph, which gives a catalogue of research-based connections between spirituality/religion and health [p. 1509]. For CPE groups more interested in the topic of spirituality & Alzheimer's than in research methodology, the article could lead easily to a general discussion of the pastoral care of dementia patients, but methodology could yet play into such discussion by challenging students to think about the practical ramifications of Alzheimer's for patients' religious lives, as suggested by issues like difficulty attending religious services [--see pp. 1511-1512]. The relatively large bibliography [pp. 1512-1514] would provide a good start for any student wishing to develop a residency project on Alzheimer's.
Related Items of Interest:
I. The following articles may be of special interest to researchers.
Lenshyn, J. [Coordinator of Pastoral Care for the Fred Douglas Society in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and lecturer and supervisor of ministry students at the University of Winnipeg]. "Reaching the living echo: maintaining and promoting the spiritual in persons living with Alzheimer's disease." Alzheimer's Care Quarterly 6, no. 1 (January-March 2005): 20-28. [(Abstract:) This article shows, through references to research by the author, experts in the field, and the use of story, alternate methods of delivering spiritual comfort and promoting spiritual well being which move beyond traditional cognitive and rational based interventions. The methods brought to the reader's attention will be seen to be the kinds of interventions anyone can use. They are not confined to use by religious "experts." This offers hope to family members, friends, and caregivers of all disciplines who wish to be able to connect with and nurture the spirit/soul of the person living with Alzheimer's disease.]
Snyder, L. [Clinical Social Worker, University of California, San Diego's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center]. "Satisfactions and challenges in spiritual faith and practice for persons with dementia." Dementia 2, no. 3 (October 2003): 299-313. [(From the abstract:) This qualitative study examines the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of persons with dementia. Quotes from 27 individuals with Alzheimer's and one person with frontal temporal dementia reveal the following themes: the role of religion or spirituality in finding meaning in dementia; the role of religion or spirituality in coping with the disease; the influence of dementia on religious or spiritual practices; and the influence of dementia on faith.]
II. The articles below do not have a research emphasis but may be of general interest and may provide background and context for the development of studies.
Bell, V. and Troxel, D. [Lexington/Bluegrass Alzheimer's Association, Lexington, KY]. "Spirituality and the person with dementia -- a view from the field." Alzheimer's Care Quarterly 2, no. 2 (Spring 2001): 31-45. [(Abstract:) Persons with dementia have spiritual needs that can be fulfilled by well-trained, sensitive family and professional caregivers. This article defines spirituality and differentiates that term from religion. Ways to meet the spiritual needs of persons with dementia are described, with the authors arguing that the cognitive losses of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders actually make spiritual needs more apparent. The authors argue that nurturing the spirit of the person with dementia is essential to quality of care and quality of life and that it also enhances the spiritual well-being of caregivers and staff.]
Buckwalter GL. [Director of Pastoral Care, Episcopal Church Home, Louisville, KY; stlukchpl@aol.com]. "Addressing the spiritual and religious needs of persons with profound memory loss." Home Healthcare Nurse 21, no. 1 (January 2003): 20-24. [This is a personal essay by a long-term care chaplain, drawing upon his own experience in order to offer practical suggestions for patient care.]
Carlson, D. and Hellen, C. R. "Undo the box--celebrate the gift: spirituality and activity." Alzheimer's Care Quarterly 1, no. 2 (Spring 2000): 56-66. [This article suggests a number of ideas for working with patients and includes three appendices: "Religious, Spiritual, and Sacred Center Assessment of Compassionate Connectedness," "Activity-Focused Adapted Worship Guidelines," and "Opportunities for Sharing Ministry: Dementia Care Centers and Local Congregations.". (Abstract:) All persons with dementia are unique and deserving of individualized respect, honoring, and care. The identification of disease stages or other categories may have value, but only when the person is offered unconditional positive regard and seen as having inherent worth and dignity. The essence of a person is within--one’s personhood, one’s am-ness. Celebrating this personal and spiritual-centered uniqueness includes spiritual well-being assessment; the offering of a praise, thanksgiving, and worship activity center; and participation in activity-focused adapted worship. The person’s spiritual self is therefore invited to enter into the sacredness of each day, gifting one’s self and others.]
Clayton, J. [St. Joseph's Health Center, London, Ontario, Canada]. "Let there be life: an approach to worship with Alzheimer's patients and their families." Journal of Pastoral Care 45, no. 2 (1991): 177-179. [(Abstract:) Describes a novel approach to providing a meaningful worship service for Alzheimer's patients in which greater stress is placed upon familiar scripture, music, prayers, and other right-brain functions, rather than on sermon or homily.]
Elliot, H. [University of Sydney, School of Studies in Religion, Australia]. "Religion, spirituality and dementia: pastoring to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and other associated forms of dementia." Disability and Rehabilitation 19, no. 10 (October 1997): 435-441. [(From the abstract:) This paper illustrates how religion and spirituality can be related to people suffering from various forms of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, and how Churches as organizations can assist these people. The paper also covers ways of minimizing communication difficulties during one-to-one pastoral visits, the simplification of religious services for nursing-home residents, and some of the problems which may occur when a practicing Church minister develops symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.]
Everett D. [General Hospital of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada]. "Forget me not: the spiritual care of people with Alzheimer's Disease." Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy 8, nos. 1-2 (1999): 77-88. [(Abstract:) This article observes that many clergy do not seem to understand the importance of ministry to persons with dementia. New understandings about the relationship between dementia and spirituality are presented and theological foundations explored. The article ends with a discussion of pastoral strategies that are important in this ministry.]
Norberg, A. [Department of Nursing, Umea University, Sweden]. "Consoling care for people with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia in the advanced stage." Alzheimer's Care Quarterly 2, no. 2 (Spring 2001): 46-52. [(Abstract:) This article argues that people with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia in the advanced stage (AAD) need consoling care. Living with AAD means suffering, the core of which is not feeling at home. In addition to suffering as a consequence of the disease, people with AAD may also experience care that is degrading. People with AAD need consolation, the center of which is communion, that is, sharing with others. People with AAD can be offered bodily, psychological, and spiritual consolation.]
Post, S. G. [School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH]. "God and Alzheimer's: a neurological reflection on religious experience, self, and soul." Park Ridge Center Bulletin 19 (January-February 2001): 9-10. [This article is available on-line at http://www.parkridgecenter.org/Page482.html (--you must copy and paste this address into your browser).]
Post, S. G. and Whitehouse, P. J. [Center for Biomedical Ethics, Department of Religion, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH]. "Spirituality, religion, and Alzheimer's disease." Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy 8, nos. 1-2 (1999): 45-57. [(Abstract:) The chaplain's ministry to persons with dementia, often of the Alzheimer's type, is vitally relevant to their clinical well-being. No chaplain should even think that because someone is demented, they can no longer be reached spiritually. While few scientific studies exist, clinical experience and anecdotal accounts suggest that selected pastoral interventions can enhance the quality of life of the mildly, moderately, and even severely demented individual.]
Roff, L. L. and Parker, M. W."Spirituality and Alzheimer's disease care. " Alzheimer's Care Quarterly 4, no. 4 (October-December 2003): 267-270. [This is a basic and general introduction to caring for Alzheimer's patients and caregivers, but the author includes a brief description of "Care Team Network" model for faith communities, developed at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (--see p. 269).]
Stolley, J. M., Koenig, H. and Buckwalter, K. C. [Trinity College of Nursing, Moline, IL]. "Pastoral care for the person with dementia." Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy 8, nos. 1-2 (1999): 7-23. [(Abstract:) We discuss the various stages of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) and present a psychosocial model which spiritual caregivers can use in their ministry, the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model. We argue that religious activities are very important to these patients and that spiritual caregivers can make an important contribution.]
Vance, D. E. [NIH/NIA Postdoctoral Fellow, Edward R. Roybal Center for Research in Applied Gerontology, University of Alabama at Birmingham; devance@uab.edu]. "Procedural and emotional religious activity therapy: connecting cognition and affective aspects of Alzheimer's disease. " Activities, Adaptation & Aging 29, no. 1 (2004): 27-45. [(Abstract:) Procedural and Emotional Religious Activity Therapy is a new approach for involving adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias with spiritually-laden activities. This therapy works by incorporating religious activities that are both emotionally-salient and have a procedural memory component. Thus, such activities are meaningful and intrinsically motivating for the adult with dementia. In addition, the procedural memory component is resistant to the neurological damage caused by Alzheimer's disease. Activities that use procedural memory can be employed well into later stages of dementia when activity therapy is more difficult to administer. This approach can be used to mitigate behavioral problems as well as increase quality of life. Due to the flexibility of this therapy, it can be used within a variety of religious paradigms. Guidelines and limitations in the use of this approach are provided.]
Wentroble, D. P. [Greenwich Chaplaincy Services, Greenwich, CT]. "Pastoral care of problematic Alzheimer's disease and dementia affected residents in a long-term care setting." Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy 8, nos. 1-2 (1999): 59-76. [(Abstract:) Pastoral caregivers face many challenges in providing ministry to institutional persons with dementia. This article describes the psychosocial perspective of Bowlby concerning the management of persons with dementia and a pastoral care ministry based on it. Specific pastoral programs and interventions are described. The article contains four case studies and concludes with reflections concerning the chaplain's ministry.]
III. It is worth noting that while relatively little research has been published on the spirituality of Alzheimer's patients, one of the major ongoing Alzheimer's research projects is the Religious Orders Study (sometimes called "The Nun Study"), which has closely followed over a thousand Catholic nuns, priests, and brothers. For more information on this project, including access to "The Palm Tree: The Religious Orders Study Newsletter," go to the Rush University Medical Center's program description page.
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