title: The efficacy of distant healing for human immunodeficiency virus--results of a randomized trial.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Astin
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Donald I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: Dan H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Couey
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Buscemi
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Targ
mesh_terms: 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