Effective treatment of faith healing: A Synthesis of Findings from 17 Studies

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Original Abstract of the Article

Major Research Findings

Research on the effectiveness of faith healing has produced varied results. For example, 1 evaluated 27 reports of prayer healing in the Netherlands, and the medical assessment team concluded that the actual healing was unclear. Furthermore, a study on the therapeutic effects of Islamic intercessory prayer on warts found no significant differences between groups in terms of healing ( 6 ). However, 2 described three cases of hearing impairment with surprising subjective improvements after prayer, emphasizing the need to analyze the mismatch between subjective experiences and objective data.

On the other hand, some studies suggest potential benefits of faith healing for mental health. 11 found that writing prayers about difficult life events functions as self-disclosure to God and can have positive short-term effects on mood and physical well-being. Additionally, a randomized, blinded study on the impact of intercessory prayer on spiritual well-being in cancer patients suggested potential benefits for mental well-being ( 9 ).

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

Several studies suggest that faith healing can positively impact mental health. For instance, writing prayers about difficult life events can act as a form of self-disclosure, potentially improving mood and physical well-being in the short term ( 11 ). Moreover, research on intercessory prayer for cancer patients indicates a potential positive effect on spiritual well-being ( 9 ). Furthermore, a study on a collaborative care model involving traditional and faith healers in Nigeria and Ghana shows potential benefits for psychosis outcomes ( 3 ).

Risks Summary

Faith healing can pose a risk of delaying medical treatment. A study in Nigeria found that many psychiatric patients sought help from traditional/faith healers first, leading to treatment delays ( 8 ). Additionally, a case report described a young man's death due to reliance on faith healing ( 5 ). Furthermore, a case report detailed a fatal accident involving carbon monoxide poisoning during a faith healing practice called Yagya ( 7 ). These cases highlight that faith healing should not replace medical treatment and should only serve as a supplemental resource.

Comparison of Studies

Similarities in Research

Many studies agree that faith healing might have positive mental health effects. For example, both 11 and 9 suggest that prayer can enhance spiritual well-being. Additionally, a cultural approach comparison of religious healing and biomedicine in the Netherlands identifies shared characteristics such as objectification, instrumental approach, high-status healers, and symbolic healing effects ( 14 ). These studies suggest that faith healing can offer a positive influence on people's spiritual aspects.

Differences in Research

However, the research findings are not consistent when it comes to the actual effectiveness of faith healing for physical illnesses and symptoms. 1 evaluated 27 reports of prayer healing in the Netherlands and concluded that the actual healing was unclear. On the other hand, 2 described three cases of hearing impairment with subjective improvements after prayer, indicating the need for further analysis. Thus, more research is needed to understand the impact of faith healing on physical health.

Consistency and Contradictions in Results

Research on the effectiveness of faith healing is diverse in its methodologies, the illnesses studied, and the interpretation of findings. This diversity makes it challenging to arrive at consistent results, and many studies reveal contradictions. Regarding the physical impact of faith healing, research findings are inconsistent, requiring further investigation. However, multiple studies suggest potential benefits for mental health, which is noteworthy.

Considerations for Practical Application

Faith healing should not replace medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, seeking a doctor's diagnosis and treatment is essential. Faith healing should only serve as a supplemental resource, ensuring it does not delay medical treatment. When practicing faith healing, consulting a doctor and prioritizing safety is crucial.

Limitations of Current Research

Research on the effectiveness of faith healing faces challenges in methodology and ethics. Objectively evaluating the effects of faith healing is extremely difficult, raising questions about how to isolate placebo effects and psychological influences. Moreover, faith healing research is susceptible to bias based on participants' religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds, potentially leading to skewed results. Furthermore, studying faith healing involves ethical considerations. For example, there is a risk that research on faith healing might negatively impact participants' faith. Overcoming these challenges requires meticulous research design and careful ethical considerations.

Future Research Directions

To gain clearer insights into the effectiveness of faith healing, future research is needed in the following areas. First, research needs to be conducted with rigorous methodology and ethical considerations. This includes designing studies that effectively control placebo effects and consider participants' religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Research is also necessary to understand the mechanisms behind faith healing. Exploring how faith healing impacts mental health and understanding the potential physical changes it may cause is essential. Finally, research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of faith healing. Identifying specific illnesses and symptoms that respond well to faith healing, as well as understanding potential risks, is vital.

Conclusion

Research on the effectiveness of faith healing has yielded diverse results, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Faith healing should not substitute medical treatment, but rather serve as a complementary resource. When medical treatment is needed, seeking a doctor's diagnosis and treatment is essential. When practicing faith healing, consulting a doctor and prioritizing safety is crucial. Future research is expected to shed further light on the mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of faith healing.

Literature analysis of 17 papers
Positive Content
10
Neutral Content
2
Negative Content
5
Article Type
5
2
1
1
17
2.

Three cases of hearing impairment with surprising subjective improvements after prayer. What can we say when analyzing them?

Author: KruijthoffDirk J, BendienElena, van der KooiCornelis, GlasGerrit, AbmaTineke A, HuijgensPeter C

Improved hearing

Three cases of self-reported instantaneous healing of hearing impairment upon prayer demonstrated a clear mismatch between subjective experiences and objective findings.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

3.

Effect of collaborative care between traditional and faith healers and primary health-care workers on psychosis outcomes in Nigeria and Ghana (COSIMPO): a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Author: GurejeOye, Appiah-PokuJohn, BelloToyin, KolaLola, ArayaRicardo, ChisholmDan, EsanOluyomi, HarrisBenjamin, MakanjuolaVictor, OthienoCaleb, PriceLeShawndra, SeedatSoraya

Psychosis treatment

A collaborative shared care model for psychosis delivered by traditional and faith healers (TFH) and primary health-care providers (PHCW) in sub-Saharan Africa was assessed for effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

4.

Beliefs of a traditional rural Indian family towards naturalistic and faith healing for treating epilepsy: a case study.

Author: BhattacharyaSudip, SinghAmarjeet

Epilepsy

This case study examines a rural Indian family who sought treatment for their child's epilepsy from faith healers. It highlights the challenges of epilepsy treatment and the reasons why people may turn to alternative therapies.

Case ReportsIn the medical field, a report that describes in detail a unique case, an unusual medical condition, or the effect of a treatment. Provides new insights and possibilities for treatment through individual patient cases.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

5.

Faith healers, myths and deaths.

Author: WastiHarihar, KanchanTanuj, AcharyaJenash

Death due to faith healing

This case report highlights the dangers of relying solely on faith healing for medical conditions, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional medical care for optimal health outcomes.

Case ReportsIn the medical field, a report that describes in detail a unique case, an unusual medical condition, or the effect of a treatment. Provides new insights and possibilities for treatment through individual patient cases.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

6.

Therapeutic Effects of Islamic Intercessory Prayer on Warts.

Author: HoşrikEvren M, CüceloğluAydın E, ErpolatSeval

Reduced stress
Warts healing
Placebo effect

Islamic intercessory prayer had no significant effect on warts.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.

Language : English

7.

Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning during yagya for faith healing--a case report.

Author: BeheraC, MilloT M, JaiswalA, DograT D

Carbon monoxide poisoning

Two individuals died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by incompletely burnt wood used during a faith healing practice (yagya).

Case ReportsIn the medical field, a report that describes in detail a unique case, an unusual medical condition, or the effect of a treatment. Provides new insights and possibilities for treatment through individual patient cases.
Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

8.

The socio-demographic characteristics and patterns of help-seeking among patients with schizophrenia in south-east Nigeria.

Author: OdinkaPaul C, OcheMartins, NdukubaAppolos C, MuomahRosemary C, OsikaMichael U, BakareMuideen O, AgomohAhamefule O, UwakweRichard

Early detection
Improved treatment
Schizophrenia
Treatment delay

Treatment delay for schizophrenia in Nigeria was associated with long distances to healthcare facilities and use of traditional/faith healers as a first treatment option.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.

Language : English

9.

A randomized, blinded study of the impact of intercessory prayer on spiritual well-being in patients with cancer.

Author: OlverIan N, DutneyAndrew

Potential for improved health outcomes

Studies on intercessory prayer added to health interventions have shown mixed results, with some studies showing positive effects and others showing no effect. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of prayer as a medical treatment.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Randomized Controlled TrialA clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to treatment and control groups to evaluate the effects of an intervention.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

12.

Intercessory prayer for the alleviation of ill health.

Author: RobertsLeanne, AhmedIrshad, HallSteve, DavisonAndrew

This review examines the scientific evidence for the efficacy of intercessory prayer in alleviating illness, acknowledging the widespread use of prayer for this purpose but emphasizing that the question of God's existence is a philosophical one beyond the scope of this review.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.
ReviewAn article that critically examines existing research on a particular topic and summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field.
Systematic ReviewA review that systematically collects, evaluates, and integrates relevant research to answer a specific research question.

Language : English

15.

Faith-based intervention in depression, anxiety, and other mental disturbances.

Author: HurstGeorge A, WilliamsMarion G, KingJudith E, VikenRichard

Improved mental health

The Steps to Freedom program demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in symptoms and functions for participants. After 3 to 4 months, participants showed improvement in all symptom/behavior categories and function areas.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

16.

Is evening primrose oil of value in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome?

Author: BudeiriD, Li Wan PoA, DornanJ C

A review of seven placebo-controlled trials found insufficient evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil (EPO) for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While the two most well-controlled studies showed no beneficial effects, the trials were relatively small and may not have been able to detect modest effects.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Meta-AnalysisA statistical technique that integrates the results of multiple studies to draw more general conclusions about a particular issue.

Language : English

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