Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP)

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center1,802 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

1,802

Conditions

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Interventions

Intercessory PrayerBEHAVIORAL

14 days of intercessory prayer from 3 sites

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Able to read or understand English Exclusion criteria: * Scheduled for emergent CABG (next available operating room slot) * CABG more than 14 days after enrollment * Other planned surgery within 30 days of CABG * Minimally invasive CABG (non full sternotomy incisions) * CABG with planned valve replacement, stent, angioplasty or carotid endarterectomy * Or had ongoing chest pain or unstable angina, as defined by their physicians

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Whether receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Time frame: 30 days

Secondary Outcomes

Whether being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Time frame: 30 days

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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