Effects of remote,retroactive intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients with bloodstream infection: randomised controlled trial |
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Authors: | Leonard Leibovici |
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Institution: | Department of Medicine, Beilinson Campus, Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tiqva 49100, Israel |
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Abstract: | ObjectiveTo determine whether remote, retroactive intercessory prayer, said for a group of patients with a bloodstream infection, has an effect on outcomes.Design Double blind, parallel group, randomised controlled trial of a retroactive intervention.Setting University hospital.Subjects All 3393 adult patients whose bloodstream infection was detected at the hospital in 1990-6.InterventionIn July 2000 patients were randomised to a control group and an intervention group. A remote, retroactive intercessory prayer was said for the well being and full recovery of the intervention group.Results Mortality was 28.1% (475/1691) in the intervention group and 30.2% (514/1702) in the control group (P for difference=0.4). Length of stay in hospital and duration of fever were significantly shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (P=0.01 and P=0.04, respectively).Conclusions Remote, retroactive intercessory prayer said for a group is associated with a shorter stay in hospital and shorter duration of fever in patients with a bloodstream infection and should be considered for use in clinical practice. What is already known on this topicTwo randomised controlled trials of remote intercessory prayer (praying for persons unknown) showed a beneficial effect in patients in an intensive coronary care unitA recent systematic review found that 57% of the randomised, placebo controlled trials of distant healing showed a positive treatment effectWhat this study addsRemote intercessory prayer said for a group of patients is associated with a shorter hospital stay and shorter duration of fever in patients with a bloodstream infection, even when the intervention is performed 4-10 years after the infection |
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