The efficacy of distant healing for human immunodeficiency virus--results of a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
While data are conflicting, studies have appeared in the literature suggesting that mental intentions sent from a distance (eg, intercessory prayer, spiritual healing) can possibly influence clinical outcomes in patients suffering from an array of medical conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential efficacy of distant healing in a population of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/aquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
One hundred fifty-six patients with a history of AIDS category C and at least one AIDS-defining opportunistic infection were randomized to 1 of 3 study arms: (1) 10 weeks of prayer/distant healing from professional healers, (2) 10 weeks of prayer/distant healing from nurses with no prior training or experience in distant healing, or, (3) no distant healing.


RESULTS
No significant treatment effects of distant healing were observed for either professional healers or nurses on any of the primary or secondary outcomes. Despite being blind to group assignment, subjects receiving distant healing (from healers or nurses) were significantly more likely to guess that they had been receiving healing than were subjects randomized to the no-treatment control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Distant healing or prayer from a distance does not appear to improve selected clinical outcomes in HIV patients who are on a combination antiretroviral therapy.
Astin
John A
JA
California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Stone
Jerome
J
Abrams
Donald I
DI
Moore
Dan H
DH
Couey
Paul
P
Buscemi
Raymond
R
Targ
Elisabeth
E
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008602:Mental Healing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D026443:Spiritual Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome