Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP)

Conditions
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Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Intercessory Prayer


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Age 18 years or older Able to read or understand English Exclusion criteria: Scheduled for emergent CABG (next available operating room slot) CABG more than 14 days after enrollment Other planned surgery within 30 days of CABG Minimally invasive CABG (non full sternotomy incisions) CABG with planned valve replacement, stent, angioplasty or carotid endarterectomy Or had ongoing chest pain or unstable angina, as defined by their physicians

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Group 1<br>604 patients received intercessory prayer after being informed they may or may not receive prayers (Group 1) | Behavioral: Intercessory Prayer<br>* 14 days of intercessory prayer from 3 sites<br>|
| No Intervention: 2<br>597 patients did not receive prayer after being informed they may or may not receive prayer (Group 2) | |
| Experimental: Group 3<br>601 patients received intercessory prayer after being informed they would receive it (Group 3). | Behavioral: Intercessory Prayer<br>* 14 days of intercessory prayer from 3 sites<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Whether receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. |  | 30 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Whether being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. |  | 30 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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coronary artery bypass grafting surgery