5 ms·

Ask HN: Any double-blind studies been undertaken to prove prayer is effective?

6 points by ggfgdjfhgjsdhfg 2y ago

chrisjj 2y ago
" The largest study yet on the therapeutic power of prayer by strangers has found that it provided no benefit to the recovery of patients who had undergone cardiac bypass surgery. In an unexpected twist, patients who knew prayers were being said for them had more complications after surgery than those who did not know, researchers reported Thursday. " https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-31-sci-prayer31-story.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-31-sci-pray...
- qup 2y ago
  The paragraphs I sought out: > More than 1,800 patients > The results showed that prayers had no beneficial effect on patients’ recovery 30 days after surgery. Overall, 59% of patients who knew they were being prayed for had complications, compared to 51% of the patients who did not receive prayers. The difference was not considered statistically significant.
  - Spooky23 2y ago
    It’s also important to note that the scope is intercessory prayer. There’s no contemplative/meditative or other inspirational factor.
- smarm52 2y ago
  Exactly what I was hoping to see. Thanks. =)
  - DLA 2y ago
    Sorry you feel that way.
- BOOSTERHIDROGEN 2y ago
  We need more studies on prayers from other religions, not just those from the Christian faith.
  - chrisjj 2y ago
    > We need more studies on prayers from other religions Given the outcome of the above, it is no surprise we haven't got them.
mtmail 2y ago
"Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: a multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer " https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16569567/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16569567/ "Conclusions: Intercessory prayer itself had no effect on complication-free recovery from CABG, but certainty of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with a higher incidence of complications."

5 ms·

Ask HN: Any double-blind studies been undertaken to prove prayer is effective?

6 points by ggfgdjfhgjsdhfg 2y ago

chrisjj 2y ago
" The largest study yet on the therapeutic power of prayer by strangers has found that it provided no benefit to the recovery of patients who had undergone cardiac bypass surgery. In an unexpected twist, patients who knew prayers were being said for them had more complications after surgery than those who did not know, researchers reported Thursday. " https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-31-sci-prayer31-story.html https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-31-sci-pray...
- qup 2y ago
  The paragraphs I sought out: > More than 1,800 patients > The results showed that prayers had no beneficial effect on patients’ recovery 30 days after surgery. Overall, 59% of patients who knew they were being prayed for had complications, compared to 51% of the patients who did not receive prayers. The difference was not considered statistically significant.
  - Spooky23 2y ago
    It’s also important to note that the scope is intercessory prayer. There’s no contemplative/meditative or other inspirational factor.
- smarm52 2y ago
  Exactly what I was hoping to see. Thanks. =)
  - DLA 2y ago
    Sorry you feel that way.
- BOOSTERHIDROGEN 2y ago
  We need more studies on prayers from other religions, not just those from the Christian faith.
  - chrisjj 2y ago
    > We need more studies on prayers from other religions Given the outcome of the above, it is no surprise we haven't got them.
mtmail 2y ago
"Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: a multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer " https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16569567/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16569567/ "Conclusions: Intercessory prayer itself had no effect on complication-free recovery from CABG, but certainty of receiving intercessory prayer was associated with a higher incidence of complications."