02788nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260004600042653001200088653002200100653002000122653001900142653001200161100001400173700001000187700001400197700001200211700001800223700001600241700001200257700001200269700001800281245010200299856009900401300000900500490000700509520195600516022001402472       2026                            d  c03/2026bPublic Library of Science (PLoS)10aHealing10aComparative study10aChronic Disease10aScoping review10aleprosy1 aDarlong J1 aKim J1 aGoswami S1 aTyagi C1 aKarthikeyan G1 aCharles MVS1 aMasih A1 aBaru RV1 aArudchelvam U00aUnderstanding healing: A comparative analysis in chronic diseases with leprosy—A scoping review  uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013748&type=printable  a1-140 v203 a<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>
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