Abstract
Background: Many individuals participate in spiritual retreats to enhance their sense of spirituality or to improve their overall mental and spiritual well-being. We are not aware of any studies specifically evaluating changes in functional connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in individuals undergoing an intense spiritual retreat program. The goal of this study was to determine whether such changes occur as a result of participating in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Methods: We conducted psychological and spiritual measures in conjunction with functional connectivity analysis of fMRI in 14 individuals prior to and following shortly after their participation in a one-week spiritual retreat. Results: Significant changes in functional connectivity were observed after the retreat program, compared to baseline evaluation, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex, pallidum, superior frontal lobe, superior parietal lobe, superior and inferior temporal lobe, and the cerebellum. Significant changes in a variety of psychological and spiritual measures were identified as result of participation in the retreat. Conclusion: Overall, these preliminary findings suggest that this intensive spiritual retreat resulted in significant changes in brain functional connectivity, and warrants further investigation to evaluate the physiological, psychological, and spiritual impact of these changes.
Highlights
Spiritual retreats have become very popular for individuals seeking to create personal spiritual or psychological growth
No research has been published on the neurological effects of intensive retreat programs such as functional connectivity measured using magnetic resonance imaging
The findings, while preliminary, suggest that participation in a spiritual retreat of this type can have a short-term impact on the functional connectivity in brain regions believed to be associated with religious and spiritual practices and experiences. Structures such as the superior frontal cortex, limbic system, cingulate gyrus, superior temporal lobe and parietal regions have all been found to be involved in meditation- and prayer-based programs both in the short and long term
Summary
Spiritual retreats have become very popular for individuals seeking to create personal spiritual or psychological growth. Thousands of people engage in such retreats each year, with yoga and meditation retreats among the most popular for both their spiritual and therapeutic value (Edwards 2012; Hoyez 2007). These retreats are associated with strong emotional responses, with participants reporting that they experience reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. A recent systematic analysis revealed that a variety of retreat programs are associated with both short- and long-term improvements in psychological and spiritual measures (Naidoo et al 2018). No research has been published on the neurological effects of intensive retreat programs such as functional connectivity measured using magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
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