Background and aims. This systematic review examined the extent to which Religiosity/Spirituality (R/S): (1) are associated with pain, function, pain-related beliefs (beliefs), coping responses and catastrophizing in people with chronic pain; and (2) moderate the association between beliefs, coping and catastrophizing, and pain and function. Methods. Experimental and observational studies examining at least of the above mentioned research questions in adults with chronic pain were eligible. Two reviewers independently performed eligibility screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. Results. Twenty-four studies were included. Most studies focused on the association between religiosity/spirituality and pain or function. When significant associations between religiosity/spirituality and psychological function were positive; and between religious/spiritual well-being and pain and physical function were negative, but weak. Few studies compared religious groups regarding criterion variables, and examined the associations between religiosity/spirituality and beliefs/coping/catastrophizing; none examined the moderation role of R/S. Conclusions. Religiosity/spirituality are associated with pain and psychological function in people with chronic pain. Viewing oneself as being “spiritual,” regardless of religiosity and religious affiliation, are a useful resource for psychological adjustment. This suggests the need for considering the role of religiosity/spirituality on psychological adjustment in context of patient care. An improved understanding of the role that religion plays in the lives of individuals with chronic pain would be facilitated by (1) the development of a theoretical model informed by the findings from this review and (2) efforts to clarify and standardize definitions and measure of the key domains, ideally based on a theoretical model. PROSPERO registry CRD42018088803.

DO RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY PLAY A ROLE IN FUNCTION, PAIN-RELATED BELIEFS AND COPING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW