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Cited by 288Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyCardiac Health and Mental HealthComplementary and Alternative Medicine Studies

Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: A multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer

Benson, Herbert, Dusek, Jeffery A., Sherwood, Jane B., Lam, Peter, Bethea, Charles F., Carpenter, William, Levitsky, Sidney, Hill, Peter C. +8 more·2006·American Heart Journal
DOI 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.05.028
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Abstract

Background 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. Methods Patients at 6 US hospitals were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 604 received intercessory prayer after being informed that they may or may not receive prayer; 597 did not receive intercessory prayer also after being informed that they may or may not receive prayer; and 601 received intercessory prayer after being informed they would receive prayer. Intercessory prayer was provided for 14 days, starting the night before CABG. The primary outcome was presence of any complication within 30 days of CABG. Secondary outcomes were any major event and mortality. Results In the 2 groups uncertain about receiving intercessory prayer, complications occurred in 52% (315/604) of patients who received intercessory prayer versus 51% (304/597) of those who did not (relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.92-1.15). Complications occurred in 59% (352/601) of patients certain of receiving intercessory prayer compared with the 52% (315/604) of those uncertain of receiving intercessory prayer (relative risk 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.28). Major events and 30-day mortality were similar across the 3 groups. Conclusions Intercessory prayer itself had no effect on complication-free recovery from CABG, but certainty of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with a higher incidence of complications.

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Authors
Benson, H., Dusek, J. A., Sherwood, J. B., Lam, P., Bethea, C. F., Carpenter, W., Levitsky, S., Hill, P. C., Clem, D. W., Jain, M. K., Drumel, D., Kopecky, S. L., Mueller, P. S., Marek, D., Rollins, S., & Hibberd, P. L.
Affiliations
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
  • INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center (US)
  • MedStar Washington Hospital Center (US)
  • Baptist Memorial Health Care (US)
  • Mayo Clinic (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Heart Journal
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-04
Volume
151
Issue
4
Pages
934-942
ISSN
0002-8703 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.ahj.2005.05.028
OpenAlex
W2145595162
Cited by
287
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 17
FWCI
37.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • American Heart Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Health and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
Keywords
intercessory prayer, coronary artery bypass grafting, postoperative complications, religious coping, cardiac surgery outcomes, 30-day mortality
MeSH terms
Aged, Coronary Artery Bypass, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Period, Prospective Studies, Safety, Logistic Models, Faith Healing, Uncertainty

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