Intercessory prayer and cardiovascular disease progression in a coronary care unit population: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of intercessory prayer, a widely practiced complementary therapy, on cardiovascular disease progression after hospital discharge.


METHODS
In this randomized controlled trial conducted between 1997 and 1999, a total of 799 coronary care unit patients were randomized at hospital discharge to the intercessory prayer group or to the control group. Intercessory prayer, ie, prayer by 1 or more persons on behalf of another, was administered at least once a week for 26 weeks by 5 intercessors per patient. The primary end point after 26 weeks was any of the following: death, cardiac arrest, rehospitalization for cardiovascular disease, coronary revascularization, or an emergency department visit for cardiovascular disease. Patients were divided into a high-risk group based on the presence of any of 5 risk factors (age = or >70 years, diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease) or a low-risk group (absence of risk factors) for subsequent primary events.


RESULTS
At 26 weeks, a primary end point had occurred in 25.6% of the intercessory prayer group and 29.3% of the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60-1.14]; P=.25). Among high-risk patients, 31.0% in the prayer group vs 33.3% in the control group (OR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.60-1.34]; P=.60) experienced a primary end point. Among low-risk patients, a primary end point occurred in 17.0% in the prayer group vs 24.1% in the control group (OR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.20-1.36]; P=.12).


CONCLUSIONS
As delivered in this study, intercessory prayer had no significant effect on medical outcomes after hospitalization in a coronary care unit.
Aviles
J M
JM
Mayo Physician Alliance for Clinical Trials Coordinating Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. 55902, USA.
Whelan
S E
SE
Hernke
D A
DA
Williams
B A
BA
Kenny
K E
KE
O'Fallon
W M
WM
Kopecky
S L
SL
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D026443:Spiritual Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome