In cultures all around the world, spirituality has historically played a large and very important role in healing. In today’s science-based, technological world, these practices now fall into the category of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). But how large a role does prayer still play in today’s world?
In May 2004, results of a large (31,000 adults) comprehensive survey on Americans' use of CAM was released. This survey found that when prayer was included in the definition, 62% of respondents said they had used CAM. This was compared to only 36% who admitted to using some form of CAM when prayer was not included in the definition of CAM. In addition, the survey found that:
A study conducted in California on the effects of prayer found that patients with advanced AIDS who received prayer survived in greater numbers, got sick less often, and recovered faster than those who did not receive prayer. Researchers have also studied the role of distant healing, which includes prayer and spiritual healing, in people with AIDS. One study involving 156 patients did not find any benefit, but a smaller study did.
Another study focused on women undergoing in vitro fertilization . The group that was prayed for had improved pregnancy rates compared to the women who were not prayed for.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center looked at the effects of prayer on patients undergoing cardiac procedures. This study found that patients receiving prayer had fewer side effects from these procedures than people not prayed for. In contrast, an interesting and large study published in the American Heart Journal found that being prayed for did not affect the number of complications people had after undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). But, the patients who knew that they were being prayed for actually had more complications (It is not exactly clear why this would be the cases). Another study also failed to find the benefit of prayer for people undergoing cardiac procedures.
On the website Quackwatch.org, Stephen Barrett, MD cites many other studies that failed to prove the effects of prayer. For example, in one such trial, researchers at the Mayo Clinic found no significant effect of prayer on the medical outcomes of more than 750 patients who were followed for six months after discharge from the hospital coronary care unit.
Dr. Barrett also scrutinizes studies that report on the favorable effects of prayer. For example, one San Francisco study compared 192 patients who were prayed for with 201 patients who were not. The results of the study found that the prayed-for group had fewer complications. But according to Dr. Barrett, the investigators’ conclusion was invalid because they scored interrelated complications separately, giving more weight to them. The average length of hospital stay, which was not subject to this type of scoring, was identical for the treatment and control groups.
In the end, what seems most important is your view about the effect of faith and prayer on your own healing process. A task force of doctors and end-of-life specialists suggested these guidelines for healthcare professionals who wish to respond to spiritual concerns:
If you are facing a challenging diagnosis or an upcoming surgery, you may want to share your spiritual concerns with your doctor. This information may help your doctor gain an understanding of how you are coping with these changes in your health.
RESOURCES:
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
http://www.nccam.nih.gov/
Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
http://www.rosenthal.hs.columbia.edu/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Interdisciplinary Network for CAM Research
http://www.incamresearch.ca/
Healthy U
http://www.healthyalberta.com/
References:
Astin JA, Stone J, Abrams DI, et al. The efficacy of distant healing for human immunodeficiency virus—results of a randomized trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006;12(6):36-41.
Aviles JM, et al. Intercessory prayer and cardiovascular disease progression in a coronary care unit: A randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2001; 26:1192-1198.
Barnes PM, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin RL. Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults: United States, 2002. CDC Advance Data Report #343. 2004. Available at: http://www.nccam.nih.gov/news/report.pdf . Accessed: January 17, 2005.
Barrett S. Some Thoughts about Faith Healing. Available at: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/faith.html. Accessed August 24, 2005.
Benson H, Dusek JA, Sherwood JB, et al. Study of the therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: a multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer. Am Heart J. 2006;151(4):934-942.
Byrd RC. Positive therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer in a coronary care unit population. Southern Medical Journal. 1988;81:826-829.
Cha KY, Wirth DP. Does prayer influence the success of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer? Report of a masked, randomized trial. J Reprod Med. 2001;46(9):781-787.
Dossey L. Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine. New York, NY: Harper Collins, 1993.
Krucoff MW, Crater SW, Gallup D, et al. Music, imagery, touch, and prayer as adjuncts to interventional cardiac care: the Monitoring and Actualisation of Noetic Trainings (MANTRA) II randomised study. Lancet. 2005;366(9481):211-217.
Krucoff MW, Crater SW, Green CL et al. Integrative noetic therapies as adjuncts to percutaneous intervention during unstable coronary syndromes. The Monitoring and Actualization of Noetic Trainings (MANTRA) feasibility pilot. American Heart Journal. 2001;142: 760-797.
Lo B, Ruston D, Kates LW, et al. Discussing religious and spiritual issues at the end of life: a practical guide for physicians. JAMA. 2002; 287(6):749-54.
Posner G. God in the CCU? A Critique of the San Francisco Hospital study on intercessory prayer and healing. Free Inquiry, Spring, 1990.
Prayer and Spirituality in Health: Ancient Practices, Modern Science. CAM at the NIH: Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2005_winter/prayer.htm . Accessed August 24, 2005.
Religion and Spirituality: Pilot study investigating the effect of intercessory prayer in the treatment of child psychiatric disorders. Available at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1440-1665.2004.02132.x . Accessed August 23, 2005.
Sicher F, Targ E, Moore D, Smith HS. A randomized double-blind study of the effect of distant healing in a population with advanced AIDS. Report of a small scale study. Western Journal of Medicine. 1998; 169: 356-363.
Spirituality in Cancer Care. National Cancer Institute. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/spirituality/HealthProfessional/page5 . Accessed August 23, 2005.
Targ EF, Levine EG: The efficacy of a mind-body-spirit group for women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2002;24 (4): 238-48.
Witmer J, Zimmerman M. Intercessory prayer as medical treatment? An inquiry. Skeptical Inquirer. 1991; 15:177-180.
Last reviewed November 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.