@article{103403,
  keywords = {Healing, Comparative study, Chronic Disease, Scoping review, leprosy},
  author = {Darlong J and Kim J and Goswami S and Tyagi C and Karthikeyan G and Charles MVS and Masih A and Baru RV},
  editor = {Arudchelvam U},
  title = {Understanding healing: A comparative analysis in chronic diseases with leprosy—A scoping review},
  abstract = {<p><strong>Background</strong></p>

<p>Healing in leprosy has long been synonymous with bacteriological cure, often overlooking persistent disability, stigma, and psychosocial consequences. Insights from other chronic diseases may inform a broader understanding of healing. recovery.</p>

<p><strong>Objectives</strong></p>

<p>To map how healing is defined and experienced in leprosy, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes mellitus, and schizophrenia, and to identify conceptual and practical lessons relevant for post-cure leprosy care. Methods A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed and PsycINFO were searched for qualitative studies (January 2012–December 2022) in English language from low- and middle-income countries. Eligible studies explored definitions, determinants, or models of healing in the five conditions. Data were charted and thematically synthesized across physical, psychological, socioeconomic, socio-relational, and spiritual domains following the Joanna Briggs approach.</p>

<p><strong>Results</strong></p>

<p>Eighty-five studies met inclusion criteria (leprosy = 20, TB = 9, diabetes = 8, HIV = 36, schizophrenia = 12). Healing was most often defined as adaptation, resilience, or reintegration rather than cure. Across diseases, five interrelated dimensions—physical, psychological, socioeconomic, socio-relational, and spiritual—shaped recovery. Compared to other chronic conditions, leprosy literature remained largely biomedical, with limited exploration of psychosocial and spiritual healing.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusions</strong></p>

<p>Achieving zero leprosy requires person-centred care that embraces multidimensional healing. The proposed 5D Healing Framework offers a roadmap for integrating psychosocial, economic, and spiritual dimensions into post-cure leprosy services.</p>
},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
  volume = {20},
  pages = {1-14},
  month = {03/2026},
  publisher = {Public Library of Science (PLoS)},
  issn = {1935-2735},
  url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013748&type=printable},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0013748},
  language = {ENG},
}