Effective treatment of prayer: A Synthesis of Findings from 22 Studies

  1. Home
  2. Effective treatment of prayer
This information is not medical advice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician.Data sources and disclaimers (data limitations, copyright, etc.)The analysis on "Effective treatment of prayer: A Synthesis of Findings from 22 Studies" on this page is based on PubMed data provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). However, NLM does not endorse or verify these analyses.

This analysis is based on research papers included in PubMed, but medical research is constantly evolving and may not fully reflect the latest findings. There may also be biases towards certain research areas.

This information is not medical advice and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician. If you have concerns about "Effective treatment of prayer: A Synthesis of Findings from 22 Studies", please consult your doctor.

For NLM copyright information, please see Link to NLM Copyright Page
PubMed data is obtained via Hugging Face Datasets: Link to DatasetPlease check the disclaimer.
This page's analysis is based on PubMed data provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Original Abstract of the Article

Major Research Findings

Research on the effects of prayer has yielded a variety of results regarding the magnitude and mechanisms of its effects. Some studies suggest that prayer may have positive effects on both physical and mental health. For example, a study by 7 showed that prayer can promote forgiveness toward others. In addition, a study by 10 showed that prayer can reduce anger and aggression.

On the other hand, other studies on the effects of prayer have shown no clear effects or limited effects. For example, a study by 9 showed that remote prayer did not have any negative effects on pregnant women but also did not show any significant effects on pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, a meta-analysis by 15 did not find any discernible evidence that remote prayer had visible effects on patients' health conditions.

Furthermore, a study by investigated the difference between knowing that prayer is being offered and not knowing. It showed that patients who knew they were being prayed for had a better recovery rate after coronary artery bypass surgery than those who did not know. This suggests that belief in the provision of prayer may have an impact on recovery, rather than prayer itself.

Benefits and Risks

Benefit Summary

The benefits of prayer include mental health, specifically reducing anger and aggression, promoting forgiveness, and providing mental peace. 7 , 10 , 14

Risk Summary

The risks of prayer include the possibility of relying too much on prayer and delaying medical treatment. 12 Additionally, prayer is rooted in specific religions and cultures, which may make it unacceptable to people from different religions and cultures.

Comparison Between Studies

Commonalities Among Studies

Many studies on the effects of prayer have pointed out that various factors, such as the object of prayer, the method of prayer, the indicators used to measure the effects of prayer, and the attributes of study participants, can all potentially influence the effects of prayer. Many studies suggest that prayer may have a positive impact on physical and mental health, but they also point out that its effects may vary depending on the person receiving the prayer.

Differences Among Studies

Because studies on the effects of prayer differ in their design, subjects, methods, and indicators for measuring effects, comparing the results can be challenging. Therefore, it is difficult to comprehensively evaluate the results of studies on the effects of prayer and draw definitive conclusions about its effects. For example, studies on prayer targets vary, such as those targeting patients with specific diseases or those targeting individuals facing specific challenges. Additionally, the methods of prayer vary, such as individual prayer, group prayer, or having others pray for you. Furthermore, indicators for measuring effects include physical health status, mental health status, and well-being. These factors need to be considered when comparing research results.

Consistency and Contradictions in Results

Studies on the effects of prayer have not yielded consistent results. While some studies show that prayer has a positive impact on physical and mental health, other studies have not observed such effects. The contradictions in research results on the effects of prayer could be attributed to differences in study design, subjects, methods, and indicators for measuring effects. More rigorous study designs and studies that consider various factors are needed to clarify the effects of prayer.

Cautions for Applying Results to Real Life

Research on the effects of prayer is still insufficient. Therefore, it is important to avoid overestimating or over-relying on the effects of prayer. When faced with illness or difficult situations, it is crucial to prioritize medical treatment and use prayer as a source of spiritual support. Additionally, prayer holds different meanings across religions and cultures, so understanding each religion and culture is important to grasp the effects of prayer.

Limitations of Current Research

Research on the effects of prayer has been criticized for various issues, including study design, subjects, methods, and indicators for measuring effects. For example, measuring the effects of prayer is very difficult, and there is no established method to objectively measure its effects. Additionally, the effects of prayer likely vary depending on the person receiving it, making it challenging to generalize research results. Furthermore, prayer encompasses psychological effects and placebo effects, and these factors need to be considered to clearly understand the effects of prayer.

Future Research Directions

To further explore the effects of prayer, the following points should be considered:

  • Develop more effective methods for measuring the effects of prayer.
  • Clarify how the effects of prayer vary depending on the person receiving it.
  • Identify factors influencing the effects of prayer and conduct studies that control those factors.
  • Comprehensively evaluate research results on the effects of prayer and draw clear conclusions about its effects.

Conclusion

Research on the effects of prayer is still in its early stages, and many questions remain unanswered. The effects of prayer likely vary depending on the individual and the situation, and it's important to avoid overestimating or over-relying on its effects. Prayer may have a positive impact on physical and mental health, but it also carries the potential to delay medical treatment. When faced with illness or difficult situations, it's crucial to prioritize medical treatment and use prayer as a source of spiritual support.

Literature analysis of 22 papers
Positive Content
18
Neutral Content
4
Negative Content
0
Article Type
12
3
1
2
21
1.

Immediate Effects of Hypnosis, Mindfulness Meditation, and Prayer on Cold Pressor Outcomes: A Four-Arm Parallel Experimental Study.

Author: Ferreira-ValenteAlexandra, Van DykeBenjamin P, DayMelissa A, Teotónio do CarmoCatarina, Pais-RibeiroJosé, PimentaFilipa, CostaRui M, JensenMark P

Increased pain tolerance
Reduced pain intensity

This study compared the immediate effects of hypnosis (HYP), mindfulness meditation (MM), and Christian prayer (CP) on pain intensity, pain tolerance, and stress in individuals with acute pain. The study found that all three interventions had positive immediate effects on pain-related outcomes, with HYP showing the most significant reduction in pain intensity.

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.
Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.

Language : English

2.

The Effects of Prayer as a Coping Strategy for Nurses.

Author: CainCynthia D

Coping strategy
Reduced stress

Nurses surveyed reported experiencing the effects of prayer as a coping strategy, including providing assistance, providing acceptance, providing calm, and deferring.

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

Language : English

3.

Effects of activity repetition training with Salat (prayer) versus task oriented training on functional outcomes of stroke.

Author: GhousMisbah, MalikArshad Nawaz, AmjadMian Imran, KanwalMaria

Improve function

This study compared the effects of activity repetition training with salat (prayer) and task-oriented training on functional outcomes in stroke patients. The repetition training group showed significant improvement in functional status compared to the task-oriented group, highlighting the importance of repetitive practice with motivation and concentration for neural plasticity after stroke.

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

4.

Effects of prayer on the vital signs of patients with chronic kidney disease: randomized controlled trial.

Author: BrasileiroThaila Oliveira Zatiti, PradoAndressa Anunciação de Oliveira, AssisBianca Bacelar de, NogueiraDenismar Alves, LimaRogério Silva, ChavesErika de Cassia Lopes

Blood pressure reduction
Heart rate reduction
Respiratory rate reduction

Prayer reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in patients with chronic kidney disease.

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

5.

The effects of prayer on attention resource availability and attention bias.

Author: AdamsHolly, Kleider-OffuttHeather M, BellDavid, WashburnDavid A

Attention bias
Cognitive resource liberation

Praying about a problem can improve attention resource capacity and bias attention towards problem-relevant information, especially for individuals who score highly on a measure of religiosity.

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

Language : English

7.

The effects of brief prayer on the experience of forgiveness: An American and Indian comparison.

Author: ToussaintLoren, KambleShanmukh, MarschallJustin C, DuggiDeepti B

Prayer for forgiveness

This study examined the effect of prayer on forgiveness in American and Indian participants.

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

8.

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

9.

A randomized clinical trial on the effects of remote intercessory prayer in the adverse outcomes of pregnancies.

Author: da RosaMaria Inês, SilvaFabio Rosa, SilvaBruno Rosa, CostaLuciana Carvalho, BergamoAngela Mendes, SilvaNapoleão Chiaramonte, MedeirosLidia Rosi de Freitas, BattistiIara Denise Endruweit, AzevedoRafael

This double-blind, randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of intercessory prayer on adverse pregnancy outcomes. The study found no significant differences in Apgar scores, type of delivery, or birth weight between the intercessory prayer group and the control group. These results suggest that intercessory prayer does not influence adverse pregnancy outcomes.

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

10.

"Pray for those who mistreat you": effects of prayer on anger and aggression.

Author: BremnerRyan H, KooleSander L, BushmanBrad J

Reduced aggression
Reduced anger

Praying for others reduces anger and aggression after a provocation. This research suggests that religious practices promote cooperation and peacefulness.

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

11.

Study of the therapeutic effects of proximal intercessory prayer (STEPP) on auditory and visual impairments in rural Mozambique.

Author: BrownCandy Gunther, MoryStephen C, WilliamsRebecca, McClymondMichael J

Improved hearing
Improved vision

Proximal intercessory prayer showed significant improvements in auditory and visual function in Mozambican subjects reporting impaired hearing or vision. The magnitude of the improvement was greater than that reported in previous suggestion and hypnosis studies.

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

12.

The effects of prayer, relaxation technique during general anesthesia on recovery outcomes following cardiac surgery.

Author: IkedoFabio, GangaharDeepak M, QuaderMohammed A, SmithLynette M

Intraoperative relaxation
Postoperative recovery

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of prayer and relaxation techniques applied during open-heart surgery while patients are under general anesthesia. While the results show no significant difference in outcomes, the prayer group was less likely to believe prayer would assist conventional medical treatments.

Controlled Clinical TrialA clinical trial that evaluates the effectiveness of a treatment by comparing a group that receives the intervention with a group that receives a placebo or standard 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.

Language : English

13.

Socioeconomic differences in the effects of prayer on physical symptoms and quality of life.

Author: BanthiaRajni, MoskowitzJudith Tedlie, AcreeMichael, FolkmanSusan

Well-being

This study investigated the relationship between religiosity and well-being in caregivers. The results suggest that religiosity is associated with better quality of life and fewer health symptoms, especially among less educated caregivers.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Multicenter StudyResearch conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions. It aims to collect a wide range of data and obtain more generalizable results.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.

Language : English

14.

Effects of prayer and religious expression within computer support groups on women with breast cancer.

Author: ShawBret, HanJeong Yeob, KimEunkyung, GustafsonDavid, HawkinsRobert, ClearyJames, McTavishFiona, PingreeSuzanne, EliasonPatricia, LumpkinsCrystal

Improved functional well-being
Improved psychosocial outcomes
Increased health self-efficacy
Reduced negative emotions

This study found that writing about religion in online support groups was associated with improved psychosocial outcomes for breast cancer patients. Those who wrote more religious words reported lower levels of negative emotions and higher levels of health self-efficacy and functional well-being.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch funding provided by the NIH to external research institutions and researchers.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch funding provided by government agencies outside the United States.

Language : English

15.

Are there demonstrable effects of distant intercessory prayer? A meta-analytic review.

Author: MastersKevin S, SpielmansGlen I, GoodsonJason T

Healing

Alternative treatments for illness are common in the US, with distant intercessory prayer (IP) being one of the most popular. IP is currently being studied scientifically to evaluate its effectiveness.

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

16.

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.

Author: BensonHerbert, DusekJeffery A, SherwoodJane B, LamPeter, BetheaCharles F, CarpenterWilliam, LevitskySidney, HillPeter C, ClemDonald W, JainManoj K, DrumelDavid, KopeckyStephen L, MuellerPaul S, MarekDean, RollinsSue, HibberdPatricia L

Recovery from surgery

This study examines whether receiving intercessory prayer or knowing that prayer is being provided is associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The study found that neither receiving intercessory prayer nor knowing that prayer is being provided was associated with uncomplicated recovery.

Journal ArticleAn article published in an academic or professional journal that reports original research or scholarly analysis.
Multicenter StudyResearch conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions. It aims to collect a wide range of data and obtain more generalizable results.
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

17.

A randomized, controlled trial of the effects of remote, intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients admitted to the coronary care unit.

Author: HarrisW S, GowdaM, KolbJ W, StrychaczC P, VacekJ L, JonesP G, ForkerA, O'KeefeJ H, McCallisterB D

Reduced CCU course score

Remote, intercessory prayer was associated with lower CCU course scores.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
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

18.

Effects of intercessory prayer on patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Author: MatthewsD A, MarloweS M, MacNuttF S

Improve RA

In-person intercessory prayer may be a useful adjunct to standard medical care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A prospective study involving 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that those who received in-person intercessory prayer showed significant overall improvement during 1-year follow-up. However, supplemental, distant intercessory prayer did not provide additional benefits.

Clinical TrialA clinical trial is a planned study conducted on humans to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and treatment methods. It aims to explore the possibilities of new treatments and improve the health of patients.
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

19.

Prayer and health: review, meta-analysis, and research agenda.

Author: MastersKevin S, SpielmansGlen I

Limited evidence
Need for better research
No proven effects

This review examines research on prayer and health and suggests areas for future studies. While many people pray and believe it affects their health, scientific evidence is limited. A review of studies on distant intercessory prayer found no clear benefits. The article also discusses research on prayer frequency, content, and use as a coping strategy. Recommendations for future research include: 1) conducting experiments based on clearly defined concepts, 2) using longitudinal studies that control for important factors, and 3) using methods that capture real-time experiences.

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.

Language : English

20.

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

22.

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

This site uses cookies. Visit our privacy policy page or click the link in any footer for more information and to change your preferences.