Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP)

Phase 3

Completed

• Conditions: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery
• Interventions: Behavioral: Intercessory Prayer

• Registration Number: NCT00179491
• Lead Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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 Timeline

• Study Start: 1998-04
• Study Completion: 2001-11
• Study First Submitted: 2005-09-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2005-09-13
• Study First Posted: 2005-09-16
• Status Verified: 2007-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2007-11-02
• Last Update Posted: 2007-11-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 1802

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Group 3	Intercessory Prayer	601 patients received intercessory prayer after being informed they would receive it (Group 3).
Group 1	Intercessory Prayer	604 patients received intercessory prayer after being informed they may or may not receive prayers (Group 1)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Whether receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.	30 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Whether being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.	30 days