| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Chittaranjan Andrade |
| Author | Rajiv Radhakrishnan |
| Abstract | Religious traditions across the world display beliefs in healing through prayer. The healing powers of prayer have been examined in triple-blind, randomized controlled trials. We illustrate randomized controlled trials on prayer and healing, with one study in each of different categories of outcome. We provide a critical analysis of the scientific and philosophical dimensions of such research. Prayer has been reported to improve outcomes in human as well as nonhuman species, to have no effect on outcomes, to worsen outcomes and to have retrospective healing effects. For a multitude of reasons, research on the healing effects of prayer is riddled with assumptions, challenges and contradictions that make the subject a scientific and religious minefield. We believe that the research has led nowhere, and that future research, if any, will forever be constrained by the scientific limitations that we outline. |
| Publication | Indian Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 247-253 |
| Date | 2009 Oct-Dec |
| Journal Abbr | Indian J Psychiatry |
| DOI | 10.4103/0019-5545.58288 |
| ISSN | 1998-3794 |
| Short Title | Prayer and healing |
| Accessed | Sat Jan 23 13:03:36 2010 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 20048448 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
This article provides a critical analysis of three types of prayer studies on scientific (methodological) and philosophical grounds and concludes that any future research into the effectiveness of prayer in healing will inevitably run up against these problems.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | H Benson |
| Author | J Dusek |
| Author | J Sherwood |
| Author | P Lam |
| Author | C Bethea |
| Author | W Carpenter |
| Author | S Levitsky |
| Author | P Hill |
| Author | D Clemjr |
| Author | M Jain |
| Publication | American Heart Journal |
| Volume | 151 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 934-942 |
| Date | April 2006 |
| Journal Abbr | American Heart Journal |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.05.028 |
| ISSN | 00028703 |
| Short Title | Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients |
| URL | http://www.ahjonline.com/article/S0002-8703(05)00649-6/abstract |
| Accessed | Mon Sep 7 21:59:27 2009 |
| Library Catalog | CrossRef |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Intercessory prayer itself had no effect on complication-free recovery from CABG, but certainty of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with a higher incidence of complications.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | R C Byrd |
| Abstract | The therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer (IP) to the Judeo-Christian God, one of the oldest forms of therapy, has had little attention in the medical literature. To evaluate the effects of IP in a coronary care unit (CCU) population, a prospective randomized double-blind protocol was followed. Over ten months, 393 patients admitted to the CCU were randomized, after signing informed consent, to an intercessory prayer group (192 patients) or to a control group (201 patients). While hospitalized, the first group received IP by participating Christians praying outside the hospital; the control group did not. At entry, chi-square and stepwise logistic analysis revealed no statistical difference between the groups. After entry, all patients had follow-up for the remainder of the admission. The IP group subsequently had a significantly lower severity score based on the hospital course after entry (P less than .01). Multivariant analysis separated the groups on the basis of the outcome variables (P less than .0001). The control patients required ventilatory assistance, antibiotics, and diuretics more frequently than patients in the IP group. These data suggest that intercessory prayer to the Judeo-Christian God has a beneficial therapeutic effect in patients admitted to a CCU. |
| Publication | Southern Medical Journal |
| Volume | 81 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | 826-829 |
| Date | Jul 1988 |
| Journal Abbr | South. Med. J |
| ISSN | 0038-4348 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3393937 |
| Accessed | Fri Sep 25 18:20:41 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 3393937 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Over ten months, 393 patients admitted to the CCU were randomized, after signing informed consent, to an intercessory prayer group (192 patients) or to a control group (201 patients). The IP group subsequently had a significantly lower severity score based on the hospital course after entry (P less than .01). Multivariant analysis separated the groups on the basis of the outcome variables (P less than .0001). The control patients required ventilatory assistance, antibiotics, and diuretics more frequently than patients in the IP group.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Wendy Cadge |
| Abstract | This case study focuses on research studies done by medical researchers that examine whether intercessory prayer or the prayers of strangers influences the health of the people who are being prayed for. The author examines how the views differed by denomination over a span of 40 years. The attitudes towards intercessory prayer from medical scientists is also discussed. |
| Publication | Journal of Religion |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 299-327 |
| Date | July 2009 |
| ISSN | 00224189 |
| Short Title | Saying Your Prayers, Constructing Your Religions |
| URL | http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/login.aspx? direct=true&db=rlh&AN=43386968&… |
| Accessed | Mon Oct 26 20:53:06 2009 |
| Library Catalog | EBSCOhost |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Larry Dossey |
| Author | David J Hufford |
| Publication | Explore (New York, N.Y.) |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 109-117 |
| Date | Mar 2005 |
| Journal Abbr | Explore (NY) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.explore.2004.12.004 |
| ISSN | 1550-8307 |
| Short Title | Are prayer experiments legitimate? |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16781511 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 16:37:37 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 16781511 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Type | Book |
|---|---|
| Author | George Fink |
| Publisher | Academic Press |
| Date | 2009-10-12 |
| ISBN | 0123751748 |
| Short Title | Stress Consequences |
| Library Catalog | Amazon.com |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Kathleen Galek |
| Author | Nava R Silton |
| Author | Lauren C Vanderwerker |
| Author | George F Handzo |
| Author | Matthew Porter |
| Author | Martin G Montonye |
| Author | David W Fleenor |
| Abstract | Analysis of Covariance was conducted on quantitative data collected by chaplains from January 2005 to December 2008. Data from 82 Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant chaplains, consisting of 53 CPE students and 29 professional chaplains were used in this study. Overall, chaplains exhibited a statistically significant higher rate of prayer with patients from their own religion (religious concordance) than they did with patients of different religions (religious discordance). There was also an interaction of chaplain religion and religious concordance wherein Protestant chaplains were 50% more likely to pray with Protestant patients than with patients of other religions, and Catholic chaplains were 20% more likely to pray with Catholic patients than with other patients. Chaplains were also significantly more likely to pray with patients of their own gender (gender concordance) than with patients of the other gender (gender discordance). |
| Publication | Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy |
| Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 1-2 |
| Pages | 42-52 |
| Date | 2009 |
| Journal Abbr | J Health Care Chaplain |
| DOI | 10.1080/08854720903529694 |
| ISSN | 1528-6916 |
| Short Title | To pray or not to pray |
| Accessed | Tue Feb 22 18:30:25 2011 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 20183112 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | William S. Harris |
| Author | Manohar Gowda |
| Author | Jerry W. Kolb |
| Author | Christopher P. Strychacz |
| Author | James L. Vacek |
| Author | Philip G. Jones |
| Author | Alan Forker |
| Author | James H. O'Keefe |
| Author | Ben D. McCallister |
| Abstract | Context Intercessory prayer (praying for others) has been a common response to sickness for millennia, but it has received little scientific attention. The positive findings of a previous controlled trial of intercessory prayer have yet to be replicated. Objective To determine whether remote, intercessory prayer for hospitalized, cardiac patients will reduce overall adverse events and length of stay. Design Randomized, controlled, double-blind, prospective, parallel-group trial. Setting Private, university-associated hospital. Patients Nine hundred ninety consecutive patients who were newly admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU). Intervention At the time of admission, patients were randomized to receive remote, intercessory prayer (prayer group) or not (usual care group). The first names of patients in the prayer group were given to a team of outside intercessors who prayed for them daily for 4 weeks. Patients were unaware that they were being prayed for, and the intercessors did not know and never met the patients. Main Outcome Measures The medical course from CCU admission to hospital discharge was summarized in a CCU course score derived from blinded, retrospective chart review. Results Compared with the usual care group (n=524), the prayer group (n=466) had lower mean{+/-}SEM weighted (6.35{+/-}0.26 vs 7.13{+/-}0.27; P=.04) and unweighted (2.7{+/-}0.1 vs 3.0{+/-}0.1; P=.04) CCU course scores. Lengths of CCU and hospital stays were not different. Conclusions Remote, intercessory prayer was associated with lower CCU course scores. This result suggests that prayer may be an effective adjunct to standard medical care. |
| Publication | Archives of Internal Medicine |
| Volume | 159 |
| Issue | 19 |
| Pages | 2273-2278 |
| Date | October 25, 1999 |
| Journal Abbr | Arch Intern Med |
| DOI | 10.1001/archinte.159.19.2273 |
| URL | http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/159/19/2273 |
| Accessed | Mon Sep 7 22:11:52 2009 |
| Library Catalog | HighWire |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Objective To determine whether remote, intercessory prayer for hospitalized, cardiac patients will reduce overall adverse events and length of stay. Design Randomized, controlled, double-blind, prospective, parallel-group trial. Nine hundred ninety consecutive patients who were newly admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU). At the time of admission, patients were randomized to receive remote, intercessory prayer (prayer group) or not (usual care group). Compared with the usual care group (n=524), the prayer group (n=466) had lower mean{+/-}SEM weighted (6.35{+/-}0.26 vs 7.13{+/-}0.27; P=.04) and unweighted (2.7{+/-}0.1 vs 3.0{+/-}0.1; P=.04) CCU course scores. Lengths of CCU and hospital stays were not different.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | David R. Hodge |
| Abstract | Perhaps surprisingly, many social workers appear to use intercessory prayer in direct practice settings. To help inform practitioners' use of this intervention, this article evaluates the empirical literature on the topic using the following three methods: (a) an individual assessment of each study, (b) an evaluation of intercessory prayer as an empirically supported intervention using criteria developed by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association (APA), and (c) a meta-analysis. Based on the Division 12 criteria, intercessory prayer was classified as an experimental intervention. Meta-analysis indicated small, but significant, effect sizes for the use of intercessory prayer (g =-.171, p =.015). The implications are discussed in light of the APA's Presidential Task Force on Evidence-based Practice. |
| Publication | Research on Social Work Practice |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 174-187 |
| Date | March 1, 2007 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1049731506296170 |
| URL | http://rsw.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/17/2/174 |
| Accessed | Mon Oct 12 17:46:42 2009 |
| Library Catalog | Sage Journals Online |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Perhaps surprisingly, many social workers appear to use intercessory prayer in direct practice settings. To help inform practitioners’ use of this intervention, this article evaluates the empirical literature on the topic using the following three methods: (a) an individual assessment of each study, (b) an evaluation of intercessory prayer as an empirically supported intervention using criteria developed by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association (APA), and (c) a meta-analysis. Based on the Division 12 criteria, intercessory prayer was classified as an experimental intervention. Meta-analysis indicated small, but significant, effect sizes for the use of intercessory prayer (g =-.171, p =.015).
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Mitchell W Krucoff |
| Author | Suzanne W Crater |
| Abstract | Prayer research is in its infancy. We have no mechanistic understanding of how prayer works. We don't know how to define what a "dose" is. The fact that research is being undertaken by prestigious institutions is significant. With so much unknown, clinical trials are best understood in their context, rather than just by their specific findings or provocative results. |
| Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Pages | 1259-1261 |
| Date | Dec 2009 |
| Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
| DOI | 10.1089/acm.2009.0675 |
| ISSN | 1557-7708 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/20001834 |
| Accessed | Mon Dec 28 12:12:34 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 20001834 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:05:21 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Mitchell W Krucoff |
| Author | Suzanne W Crater |
| Author | Dianne Gallup |
| Author | James C Blankenship |
| Author | Michael Cuffe |
| Author | Mimi Guarneri |
| Author | Richard A Krieger |
| Author | Vib R Kshettry |
| Author | Kenneth Morris |
| Author | Mehmet Oz |
| Publication | The Lancet |
| Volume | 366 |
| Issue | 9481 |
| Pages | 211-217 |
| Date | 07/2005 |
| Journal Abbr | The Lancet |
| DOI | 10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66910-3 |
| ISSN | 01406736 |
| Short Title | Music, imagery, touch, and prayer as adjuncts to interventional cardiac care |
| URL | http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.bu.edu/bsi/detail? vid=6&hid=7&… |
| Accessed | Sat Oct 10 23:18:20 2009 |
| Library Catalog | CrossRef |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Karen T Lesniak |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to examine the effects of intercessory prayer (IP) on wound healing and related physiological and behavioral factors in nonhuman primates. DESIGN: Twenty-two bush babies (Otolemur garnettii) with chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) were stratified by wound severity and matched by total wound area. The animals were then randomized to IP and L-tryptophan or L-tryptophan only for treatment of SIB and related wounds. The IP intervention was conducted in a double-blind, randomized manner. Prayer was conducted daily for 4 weeks. Initiation of prayer was coincident with the first day of L-tryptophan administration. Physiological and behavioral variables were assessed at baseline and end of study. RESULTS: Following IP/L-tryptophan treatment, prayer-group animals had a reduction in wound size compared to non-prayer animals (P=.028). Prayer-group animals had a greater increase in red blood cells (P=.006), hemoglobin (P=.01), and hematocrit (P=.018); a greater reduction in both mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P=.023) and corpuscular volume (P=.008); and a reduction in wound grooming (P=.01) and total grooming behaviors (P=.04) than non-prayer-group animals. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are consistent with prior human trials of IP effectiveness, but suggest IP-induced health improvements may be independent of confounds associated with human participants. Findings may provide direction for study of the mechanisms of IP-induced health improvements in both human and animal models. |
| Publication | Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 42-48 |
| Date | 2006 Nov-Dec |
| Journal Abbr | Altern Ther Health Med |
| ISSN | 1078-6791 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/17131981 |
| Accessed | Wed Oct 14 11:26:42 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 17131981 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Twenty-two bush babies (Otolemur garnettii) with chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) were stratified by wound severity and matched by total wound area. The IP intervention was conducted in a double-blind, randomized manner. Prayer was conducted daily for 4 weeks. Following IP/L-tryptophan treatment, prayer-group animals had a reduction in wound size compared to non-prayer animals (P=.028).
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Kevin S Masters |
| Author | Glen I Spielmans |
| Abstract | This article reviews the empirical research on prayer and health and offers a research agenda to guide future studies. Though many people practice prayer and believe it affects their health, scientific evidence is limited. In keeping with a general increase in interest in spirituality and complementary and alternative treatments, prayer has garnered attention among a growing number of behavioral scientists. The effects of distant intercessory prayer are examined by meta-analysis and it is concluded that no discernable effects can be found. The literature regarding frequency of prayer, content of prayer, and prayer as a coping strategy is subsequently reviewed. Suggestions for future research include the conduct of experimental studies based on conceptual models that include precise operationally defined constructs, longitudinal investigations with proper measure of control variables, and increased use of ecological momentary assessment techniques. |
| Publication | Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 329-338 |
| Date | Aug 2007 |
| Journal Abbr | J Behav Med |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10865-007-9106-7 |
| ISSN | 0160-7715 |
| Short Title | Prayer and health |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17487575 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 17:42:27 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 17487575 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This article reviews the empirical research on prayer and health and offers a research agenda to guide future studies. The effects of distant intercessory prayer are examined by meta-analysis and it is concluded that no discernible effects can be found. The literature regarding frequency of prayer, content of prayer, and prayer as a coping strategy is subsequently reviewed.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | S O'Laoire |
| Abstract | DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, double-blind study. PATIENTS: 496 volunteers: those who prayed (agents, n = 90) and those who were prayed for (subjects, n = 406). INTERVENTION: Agents were randomly assigned to either a directed or nondirected prayer group; photos and names of subjects were used as a focus. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: those prayed for by nondirected agents, a control group, and those prayed for by directed agents. Prayer was offered for 15 minutes daily for 12 weeks. Each subject was prayed for by three agents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five pretest and posttest objective measures and six posttest subjective measures were taken. RESULTS: Subjects improved significantly on all 11 measures. Agents improved significantly on 10 measures. A significant positive correlation was found between the amount of prayer the agents did and their scores on the five objective tests. Agents had significantly better scores than did subjects on all objective measures. Subjects' views of the locus of God's action showed significance in three objective measures. Improvement on four objective measures was significantly related to subjects' belief in the power of prayer for others. Improvement on all II measures was significantly related to subjects' conviction concerning whether they had been assigned to a control or an experimental group. Possible explanations include the placebo/faith effect, the time displaced effect, and extraneous prayer. |
| Publication | Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 38-53 |
| Date | Nov 1997 |
| Journal Abbr | Altern Ther Health Med |
| ISSN | 1078-6791 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9375429 |
| Accessed | Fri Sep 25 18:15:02 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 9375429 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Agents were randomly assigned to either a directed or nondirected prayer group; photos and names of subjects were used as a focus. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: those prayed for by nondirected agents, a control group, and those prayed for by directed agents. Results: Subjects improved significantly on all 11 measures. Agents improved significantly on 10 measures. A significant positive correlation was found between the amount of prayer the agents did and their scores on the five objective tests. Agents had significantly better scores than did subjects on all objective measures.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Raymond F Palmer |
| Author | David Katerndahl |
| Author | Jayne Morgan-Kidd |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Investigate the relevance of interpersonal belief factors as modifiers of the effectiveness of intercessory prayer. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING/LOCATION: Community-dwelling adults recruited from seven local church groups. SUBJECTS: Eighty-six (86) male and female participants 18-88 years of age were randomly assigned to either treatment (n = 45) or control groups (n = 41). INTERVENTIONS: Several volunteers committed to daily prayer for participants in the intervention group. Intercessory prayer commenced for 1 month and were directed toward a life concern or problem disclosed by the participant at baseline. Participants were unaware of being prayed for. Outcomes measures: Degree to which their problem had been resolved and the current level of concern they had about a specific life problem they described at baseline. Four component scores from the Medical Outcomes Study SF-20 were also used. RESULTS: No direct intervention effect on the primary outcomes was found. A marginally significant reduction in the amount of pain was observed in the intervention group compared to controls. The amount of concern for baseline problems at follow-up was significantly lower in the intervention group when stratified by subject's baseline degree of belief that their problem could be resolved. Prayer intervention appeared to effectively reduce the subject's level of concern only if the subject initially believed that the problem could be resolved. Those in the intervention group who did not believe in a possible resolution to their problem did not differ from controls. Better physical functioning was observed in the intervention group among those with a higher belief in prayer and surprisingly, better mental health scores were observed in the control group with lower belief in prayer scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study underscore the role of interpersonal belief in prayer efficacy and are consistent with the literature showing the relevance of belief in health and well-being in general. The relevance of interpersonal belief factors of the participants is recommended in future investigations. |
| Publication | Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.) |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 438-448 |
| Date | Jun 2004 |
| Journal Abbr | J Altern Complement Med |
| DOI | 10.1089/1075553041323803 |
| ISSN | 1075-5535 |
| Short Title | A randomized trial of the effects of remote intercessory prayer |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15253847 |
| Accessed | Fri Nov 13 12:56:32 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 15253847 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Several volunteers committed to daily prayer for participants in the intervention group. Intercessory prayer commenced for 1 month and were directed toward a life concern or problem disclosed by the participant at baseline. Participants were unaware of being prayed for. No direct intervention effect on the primary outcomes was found. A marginally significant reduction in the amount of pain was observed in the intervention group compared to controls.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Linda L Rath |
| Abstract | The purpose of this article is to share a "research journey" to study the somewhat controversial subject of Christian intercessory prayer (CIP) utilized as a clinical intervention, and the knowledge gained along the way. This article will explore the steps in the development and implementation of clinical research to scientifically examine a phenomenon that many say cannot--and should not--be studied. The sequential steps in developing this area of study are detailed and explained from the conception of the initial idea through utilization of concept analysis and literature review to develop the researchable topic. The subsequent development of both qualitative and quantitative pilot studies to investigate CIP in depth is presented to illustrate how the intervention of CIP can successfully be incorporated into clinical research. This article provides guidelines for future researchers who may want to utilize CIP as an intervention. |
| Publication | The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 71-77 |
| Date | 2009 Jan-Mar |
| Journal Abbr | J Perinat Neonatal Nurs |
| DOI | 10.1097/JPN.0b013e3181968673 |
| ISSN | 1550-5073 |
| Accessed | Tue Feb 22 19:52:41 2011 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19209063 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:07:00 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Leanne Roberts |
| Author | Irshad Ahmed |
| Author | Steve Hall |
| Author | Andrew Davison |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Prayer is amongst the oldest and most widespread interventions used with the intention of alleviating illness and promoting good health. Given the significance of this response to illness for a large proportion of the world's population, there has been considerable interest in recent years in measuring the efficacy of intercessory prayer for the alleviation of ill health in a scientifically rigorous fashion. The question of whether this may contribute towards proving or disproving the existence of God is a philosophical question lying outside the scope of this review of the effects of prayer. This revised version of the review has been prepared in response to feedback and to reflect new methods in the conduct and presentation of Cochrane reviews. OBJECTIVES: To review the effects of intercessory prayer as an additional intervention for people with health problems already receiving routine health care. SEARCH STRATEGY: We systematically searched ten relevant databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE (June 2007). SELECTION CRITERIA: We included any randomised trial comparing personal, focused, committed and organised intercessory prayer with those interceding holding some belief that they are praying to God or a god versus any other intervention. This prayer could be offered on behalf of anyone with health problems. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data independently and analysed it on an intention to treat basis, where possible. We calculated, for binary data, the fixed-effect relative risk (RR), their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the number needed to treat or harm (NNT or NNH). MAIN RESULTS: Ten studies are included in this updated review (7646 patients). For the comparison of intercessory prayer plus standard care versus standard care alone, overall there was no clear effect of intercessory prayer on death, with the effect not reaching statistical significance and data being heterogeneous (6 RCTs, n=6784, random-effects RR 0.77 CI 0.51 to 1.16, I(2) 83%). For general clinical state there was also no significant difference between groups (5 RCTs, n=2705, RR intermediate or bad outcome 0.98 CI 0.86 to 1.11). Four studies found no effect for re-admission to Coronary Care Unit (4 RCTs, n=2644, RR 1.00 CI 0.77 to 1.30).Two other trials found intercessory prayer had no effect on re-hospitalisation (2 RCTs, n=1155, RR 0.93 CI 0.71 to 1.22). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: These findings are equivocal and, although some of the results of individual studies suggest a positive effect of intercessory prayer,the majority do not and the evidence does not support a recommendation either in favour or against the use of intercessory prayer. We are not convinced that further trials of this intervention should be undertaken and would prefer to see any resources available for such a trial used to investigate other questions in health care. |
| Publication | Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online) |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | CD000368 |
| Date | 2009 |
| Journal Abbr | Cochrane Database Syst Rev |
| DOI | 10.1002/14651858.CD000368.pub3 |
| ISSN | 1469-493X |
| Accessed | Tue Feb 22 19:19:02 2011 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19370557 |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:06:18 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:06:18 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | M C Silva |
| Abstract | As the world has become more complex, so too have our ethical conceptualizations about it. In the 1970s, ethical theories and principle-based bioethics dominated. Then clinicians and scholars began to experience the limitations of these two approaches when used alone. In the 1980s, women's voices began to be heard through both feminist ethics and the ethic of care. In addition, virtue ethics and casuistry again gained recognition. During the 1990s and as we are about to enter the 21st century, ethics has expanded to capture the concepts of narrative ethics and spirituality. This select annotated bibliography focuses on spirituality and on prayer research. |
| Publication | Plastic Surgical Nursing: Official Journal of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Nurses |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 45-46 |
| Date | 1999 |
| Journal Abbr | Plast Surg Nurs |
| ISSN | 0741-5206 |
| Short Title | Spirituality and prayer research |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10478131 |
| Accessed | Thu Nov 12 19:42:21 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 10478131 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
This select annotated bibliography focuses on spirituality and on prayer research.
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Ruth Stanley |
| Abstract | Spiritual practices such as prayer have been shown to improve health and quality of life for those facing chronic or terminal illness. The early Christian healing tradition distinguished between types of prayer and their role in healing, placing great emphasis on the healing power of more integrated relational forms of prayer such as prayers of gratitude and contemplative prayer. Because autonomic tone is impaired in most disease states, autonomic homeostasis may provide insight into the healing effects of prayer. I report on observations in five volunteers engaging in five types of prayer. Using heart rate variability as a measure of autonomic tone and adaptability, I review the potential correlation of type of prayer with autonomic rebalance as measured specifically by psychophysiological coherence ratios. The five types2014supplication, devotion, intercession, gratefulness, and contemplative prayer2014elicited varying degrees of improvements in heart rate variability and corresponding psychophysiological coherence. These observations suggest a correlation of innate healing to prayer type that is consistent with teachings from the Christian healing tradition and with modern research. Further research is warranted to verify these hypotheses. |
| Publication | Zygon |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 825-846 |
| Date | December 2009 |
| DOI | 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2009.01036.x |
| URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9744.2009.01036.x |
| Accessed | Sat Nov 28 08:26:14 2009 |
| Library Catalog | Wiley InterScience |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:55 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Kenjiro Tsubono |
| Author | Paul Thomlinson |
| Author | C Norman Shealy |
| Abstract | CONTEXT: Many individuals suffer from various kinds of chronic pain. Some controlled studies on distant healing for chronic pain exist, but no definitive conclusion has been established. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of distant healing performed by a professional Japanese healer on chronic pain. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized controlled study. SETTING: Holos University, Fair Grove, Missouri. SUBJECTS: People suffering from chronic pain (not caused by clear organic diseases or that persists long after a reasonable period of healing following injuries or surgery) were recruited through local radio and newspaper advertising. Subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group or control group using a double-blind procedure. INTERVENTIONS: All subjects met the healer at the initial session at Holos University. At the session, a 20-minute group meditation was performed. The healer went back to Japan after the session and started distant healing only to the treatment group for a 2-month period. All participants were asked to meditate for 20 minutes every day during this 2-month period. OUTCOME MEASURES: The visual analog scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 17 subjects were recruited, and 16 subjects completed the study. Comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment visual analog scale indicated a slightly significant effect of distant healing (P=.056). The Present Pain Intensity Scale showed significant improvement in the treatment group compared to the control group (P=.0016). The Pain Rating Index showed improvement in the treatment group, but the difference between both groups was not statistically significant (P=.12). |
| Publication | Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 30-34 |
| Date | 2009 May-Jun |
| Journal Abbr | Altern Ther Health Med |
| ISSN | 1078-6791 |
| Short Title | The effects of distant healing performed by a spiritual healer on chronic pain |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/19472862 |
| Accessed | Tue Sep 15 00:38:47 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 19472862 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
To study the effects of distant healing performed by a professional Japanese healer on chronic pain. Results: A total of 17 subjects were recruited, and 16 subjects completed the study. Comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment visual analog scale indicated a slightly significant effect of distant healing (P=.056). The Present Pain Intensity Scale showed significant improvement in the treatment group compared to the control group (P=.0016). The Pain Rating Index showed improvement in the treatment group, but the difference between both groups was not statistically significant (P=.12).
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Amy Wachholtz |
| Author | Usha Sambamoorthi |
| Abstract | <p><br/>The objective of this research was to analyze national trends in the use of prayer to cope with health concerns. Data are from the Alternative Medicine Supplement of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2002 (N = 30,080) and 2007 (N = 22,306). We categorized prayer use into 3 groups: never prayed, prayed in the past 12 months, and did not pray in the past 12 months. Chi-square tests and multinomial logistic regressions were performed to analyze prayer use over time. All analyses adjusted for the complex sample design of the NHIS and were conducted in SAS-callable SUDAAN. Recent use (within 12 months) of prayer for health concerns significantly increased from 43% in 2002 to 49% in 2007. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic status, health status, and lifestyle behaviors, prayer use was more likely in 2007 than 2002 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.21, 95% CI [1.14, 1.28]). Across time, individuals reporting dental pain were more likely to use prayer to cope compared with those with no pain. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.2 (95% CI [1.09, 1.33]) in 2002 and 1.16 (95% CI [1.03, 1.3]) in 2007. Other predictors of prayer, including gender, race, psychological distress, changing health status, and functional limitations, remained consistent across both time periods. Overall, prayer use for health concerns increased between 2001 and 2007. The escalating positive association between pain and prayer use for health concerns over time suggests that it is critical for mental and physical health treatment providers to be aware of the prevalence of this coping resource.</p> |
| Publication | Psychology of Religion and Spirituality |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 67-77 |
| Date | May 2011 |
| DOI | 37/a0021598 |
| ISSN | 1941-1022 |
| Short Title | National Trends in Prayer Use as a Coping Mechanism for Health Concerns |
| URL | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S194110221160006X |
| Accessed | Thu Jun 9 18:07:17 2011 |
| Library Catalog | ScienceDirect |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 08:55:16 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 08:55:16 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Brandon L. Whittington |
| Author | Steven J. Scher |
| Abstract | Participants (N = 430) were recruited online and completed a measure of 6 prayer types (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, reception, and obligatory prayer). Measures of subjective well-being (self-esteem, optimism, meaning in life, satisfaction with life) were also administered. Three forms of prayer (adoration, thanksgiving, reception) had consistently positive relations with well-being measures, whereas the other three forms of prayer had negative or null relations with the well-being measures. The prayer types having positive effects appear to be less ego-focused, and more focused on God, whereas the negative types have an opposite nature. |
| Publication | International Journal for the Psychology of Religion |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 59 |
| Date | 2010 |
| DOI | 10.1080/10508610903146316 |
| ISSN | 1050-8619 |
| Short Title | Prayer and Subjective Well-Being |
| Accessed | Fri Jan 29 16:38:30 2010 |
| Library Catalog | Informaworld |
| Date Added | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Modified | Thu Sep 29 09:04:35 2011 |
| Type | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Author | Sema Yilmaz |
| Author | Hamide Kart-Köseoglu |
| Author | Ozgen Guler |
| Author | Eftal Yucel |
| Abstract | Prayer is one kind of worship that is composed of repetitive action during praying in Islam. The prayer is performed five times a day, every Friday, bairams and death ceremonies. The aim of this study is to search the role of this repetitive action on knee, hip osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Forty-six patients who had been performing the prayer at least for 10 years, and 40 patients who had not performed the prayer, were included in this prospective study. Each patient was evaluated with standard questionnaire form, joint examination was done and various laboratory parameters were studied. Anterior-posterior radiography of the pelvis and weight-bearing knees of each patient were examined. Each film was evaluated by two investigators separately and first scored by using Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) scale, then the width of the joint space of hips and knees were measured directly using a steel ruler and recorded to the nearest half millimeter. Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine and femur was measured. Patients having Heberden's nodes, Bouchard's nodes, and carpometacarpal disease were frequent in worshiper group. Joint space width measurements and assessment according to K&L scale did not differ between worshipers and non-worshipers. BMD of lumbar spine was decreased in worshipers and also decreased with patients having Heberden's nodes, Bouchard's nodes, female gender and age. Prayer has no effect on knee and hip osteoarthritis, and may be related with hand osteoarthritis. It seems to have negative effect on lumbar BMD, but further investigations are needed. |
| Publication | Rheumatology International |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 429-436 |
| Date | Mar 2008 |
| Journal Abbr | Rheumatol. Int |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00296-007-0466-7 |
| ISSN | 0172-8172 |
| URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.ezproxy.bu.edu/pubmed/17926039 |
| Accessed | Mon Nov 2 13:29:46 2009 |
| Library Catalog | NCBI PubMed |
| Extra | PMID: 17926039 |
| Date Added | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
| Modified | Sat Oct 1 16:55:15 2011 |
Prayer is one kind of worship that is composed of repetitive action during praying in Islam. The prayer is performed five times a day, every Friday, bairams and death ceremonies. The aim of this study is to search the role of this repetitive action on knee, hip osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.