Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

150 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
scientific study design with ethical compliance to standards for the protection
of human subjects should be considered, like any patient participation
in trials of novel therapeutics. However, any recommendations
for physicians to prescribe prayer systematically apart from such protocols
is premature.
With no safety issues identified to date and recognizing the ancient
and global cultural belief systems in the role of prayer in health and
illness, spiritual support services can and should continue to be offered
to patients charitably. They should also be evaluated as a component of
health care systems and as part of an ongoing quality improvement in
health care. If a patient or family wants to pray, the presence of an on-site
chapel or a chaplain who can be of assistance is both reasonable and
important.
CONCLUSIONS
Intercessory prayer trials have shown varied results. In cardiovascular
medicine, two of three trials were interpreted as “positive” for intercessory
prayer in CCU patients; however, the clinical relevance of the
composite scores used is unclear. The third trial shows no benefit. Similarly,
intercessory prayer trials conducted with other diseases use different
methods and end points and have differing results. Further research
should be conducted to ensure standardization of methods and terms, as
well as the safety and efficacy of spirituality as an intervention. Questions
exist regarding the validity of applying scientific methods to the
study of a field that, by its nature, transcends science as we currently
understand it. Regardless of the ability of the scientific and medical
communities to provide data on prayer and clinical outcomes, many
patients, their families, and their friends will undoubtedly continue to
pray for themselves and their sick loved ones, with the goal of affecting
outcomes, as well as providing spiritual support.
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