In-person prayer reduced pain and anxiety more than music

Background: This randomized controlled trial focused on in-person prayer, known as proximal intercessory prayer (PIP), for another person's well-being. Researchers at the University of Maryland recruited 180 adult patients from a family medicine waiting room who reported moderate-to-severe pain and/or anxiety. Participants were randomized to receive either five minutes of Christian in-person prayer from a trained volunteer or music after their appointments. Researchers examined whether participants in the PIP intervention versus music control group would report significant changes in pain or anxiety.

What they found: Both groups improved. However, patients who received prayer reported greater relief from both pain and anxiety than those who listened to music. Prayer recipients reported greater reductions in pain immediately and at two weeks compared to the music group. Prayer recipients with anxiety reported greater reductions immediately and at both two and six weeks. Black participants reported larger improvements in both pain and anxiety than other participants. 

Implications: The findings suggest proximal intercessory prayer may be a low-cost, non-pharmacologic, effective complement to standard care for a wide range of patients.