In 1988, Randolph Byrd, M.D., a cardiologist, tested intercessory prayer over a 10-month period for 393 patients admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU) in San Francisco. In the randomized, double-blind study, some differences were noted in the group that had received prayer by intercession. Among them, patients were (I) five times less likely to require antibiotics and (2) three times less likely to develop pulmonary edema; in addition, (3) none required intubation.

Walker Study

Scott Walker, M.D., a research and treatment psychiatrist at the Center on Alcohol Substance Abuse and Addictions, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, modeled a study of alcoholics in treatment on the Byrd study. This two-group, double-blinded study was set up to evaluate whether patients receiving prayer by intercession would be more likely to succeed in their treatment programs. The results, which were made available in June 1996, showed no statistical difference between groups. Researchers are still analyzing details of the study to determine whether they overlooked something in design or analysis. Some suggest that in a study such as this, where the illness may be regarded in an unfavorable or negative light by those interceding, the effects of prayer may be minimal or nonexistent.

Thurman Study

Ken Thurman, Ph.D., professor of special education and adjunct professor of pediatrics, at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is beginning a study that will examine the role of prayer on the recovery of premature babies. This study should add some new information to the growing body of scientific literature on prayer. In considering the work of previous researchers, Dr. Thurman, who is a special educator by training who has worked for the last 20 years on early intervention with children and families, has created a double-blinded study that will consider the amount of prayer received by and its effect on individual babies.

In this study, there will be three groups of babies born at 30 weeks gestation or less who have no genetic anomalies. Group I will be the "nonprayer" group; group II will have two groups praying for it; group III will have five groups praying for it All parent participants will be asked to fill out a questionnaire designed to determine what kind of social support the family has, their degree of dispositional optimism, and their level of religiosity. These factors will be considered when the final results are tabulated. In addition, parents will be asked to estimate how much prayer was done by them or other friends and family during their baby's hospitalization.

HOME | ABOUT | CALENDAR | EVENTS | NEWSLETTER | LINKS
WORLD HEALTH FOUNDATION | FAQ'S | CONTACT INFO