Walker S R, Tonigan J S, Miller W R, Corner S, Kahlich L
University of New Mexico, USA.
Altern Ther Health Med. 1997 Nov;3(6):79-86.
To conduct a pilot study of the effect of intercessory prayer on patients entering treatment for alcohol abuse or dependence.
In addition to standard treatment, 40 patients admitted to a public substance abuse treatment facility for treatment of alcohol problems who consented to participate were randomized to receive or not receive intercessory prayer (double-blind) by outside volunteers. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.
No differences were found between prayer intervention and nonintervention groups on alcohol consumption. Compared with a normative group of patients treated at the same facility participants in the prayer study experienced a delay in drinking reduction. Those who reported at baseline that a family member or friend was already praying for them were found to be drinking significantly more at 6 months than were those who reported being unaware of anyone praying for them. Greater frequency of prayer by the participants themselves was associated with less drinking, but only at months 2 and 3.
Intercessory prayer did not demonstrate clinical benefit in the treatment of alcohol abuse and dependence under these study conditions. Prayer may be a complex phenomenon with many interacting variables.
开展一项关于代祷对进入酒精滥用或依赖治疗的患者影响的初步研究。
除标准治疗外，40名因酒精问题入住公共药物滥用治疗机构且同意参与的患者被随机分配，由外部志愿者对其进行代祷（双盲）或不进行代祷。在基线、3个月和6个月时进行评估。
在酒精摄入量方面，祈祷干预组和非干预组之间未发现差异。与在同一机构接受治疗的正常患者组相比，祈祷研究中的参与者饮酒量减少出现延迟。在基线时报告有家庭成员或朋友已经为其祈祷的患者，在6个月时的饮酒量显著高于报告不知道有任何人在为其祈祷的患者。参与者自身祈祷频率越高，饮酒量越少，但仅在第2个月和第3个月时如此。
在这些研究条件下，代祷在酒精滥用和依赖的治疗中未显示出临床益处。祈祷可能是一个具有许多相互作用变量的复杂现象。
