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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00179491

Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP)

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Intercessory Prayer

Behavioral

14 days of intercessory prayer from 3 sites

Primary outcomes

  1. Whether receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

    Time frame: 30 days

Secondary outcomes

  1. Whether being certain of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with uncomplicated recovery after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

    Time frame: 30 days

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Other

Collaborators

  • Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation
  • INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
  • John Templeton Foundation
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Medstar Health Research Institute

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
1998
Study completion
2001
First posted
Sep 16, 2005
Registry last updated
Nov 5, 2007

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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