Articles & Thesis

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES USES IN INSTITUTION FOR MENTAL DISABILITIES

(Master of Science “thesis” Degree)

Frederico Camelo Leão, MD *

Summary: Leão FC. Spiritual practices uses in institution for mental disabilities [dissertation]. São Paulo: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo; 2004. 78p.

Objective: to evaluate the impact of spiritual practices in the clinical and behavioral evolution of internal patients with mental disabilities in a Health Institution.

Method: two groups of patients were compared: The experimental group submitted on spiritual practices and the control group. The Interactive Observation Scale for Psychiatric Inpatients (IOSPI) was employed to evaluate the outcome.

Results: the comparison of controlled group (N=20) with the experimental group (N=20) verified the difference of variation between the groups (p=0,045), what demonstrates possible benefits of such intervention.

Conclusions: the research confirmed the hypothesis that practical spirituals uses presents positive results in clinical and behavioral evolution of internal patients with mental disabilities.

Keywords: Spiritual Practices uses; Religion and Medicine; Mental disabilities; Mental Health.

Due to extension of the text «Spiritual Practices Uses in Institution for Mental Disabilities» the dear colleague will be able to consult the entire article into Hoje - Jean Evangelist Hospital Brazil or here.

* Psychiatrist, Brazil