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
- PMID:16569567
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.05.028
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
Abstract
Background: Intercessory prayer is widely believed to influence recovery from illness, but claims of benefits are not supported by well-controlled clinical trials. Prior studies have not addressed whether prayer itself or knowledge/certainty that prayer is being provided may influence outcome. We evaluated whether (1) receiving intercessory prayer or (2) being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Methods: Patients at 6 US hospitals were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 604 received intercessory prayer after being informed that they may or may not receive prayer; 597 did not receive intercessory prayer also after being informed that they may or may not receive prayer; and 601 received intercessory prayer after being informed they would receive prayer. Intercessory prayer was provided for 14 days, starting the night before CABG. The primary outcome was presence of any complication within 30 days of CABG. Secondary outcomes were any major event and mortality.
Results: In the 2 groups uncertain about receiving intercessory prayer, complications occurred in 52% (315/604) of patients who received intercessory prayer versus 51% (304/597) of those who did not (relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.92-1.15). Complications occurred in 59% (352/601) of patients certain of receiving intercessory prayer compared with the 52% (315/604) of those uncertain of receiving intercessory prayer (relative risk 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.28). Major events and 30-day mortality were similar across the 3 groups.
Conclusions: 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.
Comment in
- From efficacy to safety concerns: a STEP forward or a step back for clinical research and intercessory prayer? The Study of Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP).Krucoff MW, Crater SW, Lee KL.Krucoff MW, et al.Am Heart J. 2006 Apr;151(4):762-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.06.031.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:16569528No abstract available.
- Intercessory prayer.Dorn Jm.Dorn Jm.Am Heart J. 2006 Sep;152(3):e25. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2006.05.026.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:16923400No abstract available.
- A "STEP" in the right direction.Lilly SM.Lilly SM.Am Heart J. 2006 Oct;152(4):e31. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2006.06.031.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:16996814No abstract available.
- A step towards more ethical prayer studies.Hobbins P.Hobbins P.Am Heart J. 2006 Oct;152(4):e33. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2006.06.033.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:16996815No abstract available.
- Letter to the editor by Dr. Adam H. Skolnick.Skolnick AH.Skolnick AH.Am Heart J. 2006 Oct;152(4):e39. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2006.05.033.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:16996818No abstract available.
- Controlling the independent variables in the clinical study of prayer: the devil is in the details.Burks EJ.Burks EJ.Am Heart J. 2006 Oct;152(4):e41-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2006.04.037.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:16996819No abstract available.
- Intercessory prayer study.Carron RC, Hart AM, Naumann R.Carron RC, et al.Am Heart J. 2006 Dec;152(6):e63. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2006.09.004.Am Heart J. 2006.PMID:17161042No abstract available.
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