Spirituality and Religiosity in Adults With Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review of Concepts, Measures, and Outcomes

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence on spirituality in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), focusing on its dimensions, assessment strategies, and impact on health outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, and gray literature identified qualitative and quantitative studies explicitly addressing spirituality in HNC. Eligible sources were narratively synthesized. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Core spiritual dimensions included the search for meaning, inner peace, religious faith, and a positive outlook. Six studies reported associations between spirituality and improved quality of life (QoL), while three described enhanced coping capacity and emotional resilience. Religious faith, irrespective of denomination, was associated with better pain management, fewer treatment-related side effects, lower existential distress, and, in some studies, improved survival outcomes. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being Scale was the most frequently applied instrument, assessing beliefs, meaning, and inner peace. CONCLUSION: Spirituality was frequently associated with coping capacity, psychological adjustment, and QoL in patients with HNC. Integrating spiritual care into holistic oncology practice may enhance treatment adherence, resilience, and patient well-being.