One of the most fascinating and mind altering research studies are those that have investigated the role of spirituality and health. In particular, how the course of disease is affected by prayers. When I was in medical school, speaking of spirituality and health or medical treatment was taboo. Luckily for all of us, a few bold and daring research scientists and physicians, have delved into this promising arena.
The initial study I learned about, was conducted by Randy Byrd, MD, during the 1980s at the University of California at San Francisco Medical School. It involved almost 400 (393) heart patients who were hospitalized in an intensive care unit. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, and were carefully matched for age, severity and type of disease. Dr. Byrd requested people members of different religious traditions, (Catholics, Jews, and Protestants) to pray for these hospitalized individuals in the experimental group, several times each day. The persons prayed for had at least seven people praying for their rapid recovery, prevention of complications, and holding the belief that the prayer would help them recover. This double blind study (neither the doctors or the patients knew the group assignment) demonstrated remarkable results. Regardless of their similarities, the group receiving prayer experienced a measurable and statistically significant decrease of serious complications, including heart failure, cardiac arrests, pneumonia and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). And more remarkably not one person in the experimental group died!
A more recent and intriguing study, reported at the American Heart Association's annual meeting, in 1998, was conducted by Dr. Mitch Krucoff, M.D, another Duke University cardiologist, and produced similar results. Called "Monitor and Actualization of Noetic Trainings (MANTRA)," this double-blind study randomly divided 150 patients into 30-person groups. Three of the groups received relaxation, guided imagery, or touch therapies. The names of the fourth group were inserted in the Western Wall in Jerusalem and given to Buddhist monks in Nepal, Carmelite nuns in Baltimore, and to groups of Moravians and Christian fundamentalists to pray for them by name. The fifth group received only standard medical care.
The heart disease patients, receiving angioplasty who were prayed for by the different religious groups around the world had an outcome that was 50%-100% better than those who were not prayed for. The groups receiving the other therapies showed a 30%-50% improvement, compared to the patients who only received standard care.
Dr. Krucoff commented that although the study was too small to offer statistically significant comparison, the results, "are highly intriguing, and not what most traditional physicians would have expected. "Our data show beneficial trends. Our goal was to conduct as scientifically rigorous and reasonable a trial as has ever been undertaken to look at what else, besides pills and procedures, might help us treat patients." A larger 1,500 patient trial was expected to be conducted at five medical centers across the US.
The study design used objective physiological measurements, such as continuous EKG monitoring, blood pressure, heart rate, and clinical outcomes, to quantify the effects of spiritual energy in cardiac patients before, during and after invasive procedures. The outcomes are contrary to our limited, mechanical view of the human body. How does prayer from thousands of miles away impact the body in a helpful way and enhance healing? If we consider ourselves as separate human beings, there isn't a logical answer. But if we consider otherwise, perhaps there is one. - 14130
The initial study I learned about, was conducted by Randy Byrd, MD, during the 1980s at the University of California at San Francisco Medical School. It involved almost 400 (393) heart patients who were hospitalized in an intensive care unit. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, and were carefully matched for age, severity and type of disease. Dr. Byrd requested people members of different religious traditions, (Catholics, Jews, and Protestants) to pray for these hospitalized individuals in the experimental group, several times each day. The persons prayed for had at least seven people praying for their rapid recovery, prevention of complications, and holding the belief that the prayer would help them recover. This double blind study (neither the doctors or the patients knew the group assignment) demonstrated remarkable results. Regardless of their similarities, the group receiving prayer experienced a measurable and statistically significant decrease of serious complications, including heart failure, cardiac arrests, pneumonia and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). And more remarkably not one person in the experimental group died!
A more recent and intriguing study, reported at the American Heart Association's annual meeting, in 1998, was conducted by Dr. Mitch Krucoff, M.D, another Duke University cardiologist, and produced similar results. Called "Monitor and Actualization of Noetic Trainings (MANTRA)," this double-blind study randomly divided 150 patients into 30-person groups. Three of the groups received relaxation, guided imagery, or touch therapies. The names of the fourth group were inserted in the Western Wall in Jerusalem and given to Buddhist monks in Nepal, Carmelite nuns in Baltimore, and to groups of Moravians and Christian fundamentalists to pray for them by name. The fifth group received only standard medical care.
The heart disease patients, receiving angioplasty who were prayed for by the different religious groups around the world had an outcome that was 50%-100% better than those who were not prayed for. The groups receiving the other therapies showed a 30%-50% improvement, compared to the patients who only received standard care.
Dr. Krucoff commented that although the study was too small to offer statistically significant comparison, the results, "are highly intriguing, and not what most traditional physicians would have expected. "Our data show beneficial trends. Our goal was to conduct as scientifically rigorous and reasonable a trial as has ever been undertaken to look at what else, besides pills and procedures, might help us treat patients." A larger 1,500 patient trial was expected to be conducted at five medical centers across the US.
The study design used objective physiological measurements, such as continuous EKG monitoring, blood pressure, heart rate, and clinical outcomes, to quantify the effects of spiritual energy in cardiac patients before, during and after invasive procedures. The outcomes are contrary to our limited, mechanical view of the human body. How does prayer from thousands of miles away impact the body in a helpful way and enhance healing? If we consider ourselves as separate human beings, there isn't a logical answer. But if we consider otherwise, perhaps there is one. - 14130
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Learn more about how to get well . Stop by Elaine R. Ferguson, MD's site where you can find out all about heart disease and what it can do for you.
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