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Meta-Analysis
. 2009 Apr 15;2009(2):CD000368.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000368.pub3.

Intercessory prayer for the alleviation of ill health

Leanne Roberts  1 , Irshad Ahmed, Steve Hall, Andrew Davison
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Intercessory prayer for the alleviation of ill health

Leanne Roberts et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Prayer is amongst the oldest and most widespread interventions used with the intention of alleviating illness and promoting good health. Given the significance of this response to illness for a large proportion of the world's population, there has been considerable interest in recent years in measuring the efficacy of intercessory prayer for the alleviation of ill health in a scientifically rigorous fashion. The question of whether this may contribute towards proving or disproving the existence of God is a philosophical question lying outside the scope of this review of the effects of prayer. This revised version of the review has been prepared in response to feedback and to reflect new methods in the conduct and presentation of Cochrane reviews.

Objectives: To review the effects of intercessory prayer as an additional intervention for people with health problems already receiving routine health care.

Search strategy: We systematically searched ten relevant databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE (June 2007).

Selection criteria: We included any randomised trial comparing personal, focused, committed and organised intercessory prayer with those interceding holding some belief that they are praying to God or a god versus any other intervention. This prayer could be offered on behalf of anyone with health problems.

Data collection and analysis: We extracted data independently and analysed it on an intention to treat basis, where possible. We calculated, for binary data, the fixed-effect relative risk (RR), their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the number needed to treat or harm (NNT or NNH).

Main results: Ten studies are included in this updated review (7646 patients). For the comparison of intercessory prayer plus standard care versus standard care alone, overall there was no clear effect of intercessory prayer on death, with the effect not reaching statistical significance and data being heterogeneous (6 RCTs, n=6784, random-effects RR 0.77 CI 0.51 to 1.16, I(2) 83%). For general clinical state there was also no significant difference between groups (5 RCTs, n=2705, RR intermediate or bad outcome 0.98 CI 0.86 to 1.11). Four studies found no effect for re-admission to Coronary Care Unit (4 RCTs, n=2644, RR 1.00 CI 0.77 to 1.30).Two other trials found intercessory prayer had no effect on re-hospitalisation (2 RCTs, n=1155, RR 0.93 CI 0.71 to 1.22).

Authors' conclusions: These findings are equivocal and, although some of the results of individual studies suggest a positive effect of intercessory prayer,the majority do not and the evidence does not support a recommendation either in favour or against the use of intercessory prayer. We are not convinced that further trials of this intervention should be undertaken and would prefer to see any resources available for such a trial used to investigate other questions in health care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The reviewers are of mixed backgrounds, including Christianity and Islam.

Figures

1
1
Review authors' judgements for each quality item
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 1 Death by end of trial.
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 2 Clinical state: 1. Improved/not improved: intermediate or bad outcome.
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 3 Clinical state: 2. Significant complications (readmission to CCU).
1.4
1.4. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 4 Clinical state: 3. Presence of any post operative complications by 30 days.
1.5
1.5. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 5 Clinical state: 4. Significant complications (various).
1.7
1.7. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 7 Clinical state: 6. No change or deterioration in attitude.
1.8
1.8. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 8 Service use: 1. Rehospitalisation (any reason).
1.9
1.9. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 9 Service use: 2. Number of 'visits to emergency department after discharge (specific to cardiac problem).
1.12
1.12. Analysis
Comparison 1 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (CONTEMPORANEOUS ) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 12 Leaving the study early.
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (RETROSPECTIVE) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 1 Death by end of trial.
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2 INTERCESSORY PRAYER (RETROSPECTIVE) versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 2 Leaving the study early.
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 1 Death by end of trial.
3.2
3.2. Analysis
Comparison 3 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 2 Clinical state: 1. Improved/not improved: intermediate or bad outcome.
3.3
3.3. Analysis
Comparison 3 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 3 Clinical state: 2. Significant complications (readmission to CCU).
3.4
3.4. Analysis
Comparison 3 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 4 Clinical state: 3. Presence of any post operative complications by 30 days.
3.5
3.5. Analysis
Comparison 3 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus STANDARD CARE, Outcome 5 Leaving the study early.
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus INTERCESSORY PRAYER, Outcome 1 Death by end of trial.
4.2
4.2. Analysis
Comparison 4 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus INTERCESSORY PRAYER, Outcome 2 Clinical state: 1. Improved/not improved: intermediate or bad outcome.
4.3
4.3. Analysis
Comparison 4 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus INTERCESSORY PRAYER, Outcome 3 Clinical state: 2. Significant complications (readmission to CCU).
4.4
4.4. Analysis
Comparison 4 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus INTERCESSORY PRAYER, Outcome 4 Clinical state: 3. Presence of any post operative complications by 30 days.
4.5
4.5. Analysis
Comparison 4 AWARENESS OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER versus INTERCESSORY PRAYER, Outcome 5 Leaving the study early.
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