SPRITUALITY AND MEDICINE

SPRITUALITY AND MEDICINE

Manoj Jain M.D. M.P.H.

Goals Goals

Exploring Spirituality through science.

Is religion healthy? If so - what mechanisms

make religion healthy? Evolving model Our prayer study - Research

Resurgence of Spirituality in MedicineResurgence of Spirituality in Medicine

Surveys 1993 and 1998

Eisenberg study on Alternative Medicine

Medical School Curriculum

Research by Benson, Koenig, Larson, Matthews

Survey ResultsSurvey Results

95% of Americans believe in God

76% pray regularly In 1990 25% used

self-prayer for healing

In 1997 35% used self prayer (JAMA 98)

Spirituality vs. ReligiositySpirituality vs. Religiosity

Spirituality is: Core of our belief- often individual

Religiosity is: broader, institutional, ritualistic

Spirituality more compatible with science

What evidence is there that Spirituality/Religiosity leads to good health?What evidence is there that Spirituality/Religiosity leads to good health?

Survival- 91,909 men attending church

Netherlands -SDA men 9 yrs. increase

Psychiatric illness YET NO GOOD

RCT--biased by behavior

What evidence is there that Spirituality/Religiosity leads to good health?What evidence is there that Spirituality/Religiosity leads to good health?

3968 California residents age 64-101 years old 6 year follow up-

46% lower mortality rate if church going

After after correcting for behavior mortality rate 28% lower

Clinical ScenarioClinical Scenario

1.Child falls “kiss the boo- boo” 2.Patient with Shortness of Breath 3.Patients with breast cancer go to

social group 4. Patients in CCU were prayed for

If religion is healthy then what is the mechanism?If religion is healthy then what is the mechanism?

Placebo effect Psychological support Social support Religious practices i.e. dietary Vibrational -- “devine” --

intercessory prayer

Placebo effectPlacebo effect

Belief in Medicine Belief in Doctor Belied in Relationship 30 percent effective (JAMA 1965)

Psychological/Social supportPsychological/Social support

Clergy - priest Forgiveness/Confession Sunday Church visits Church Socials

Relaxation ResponseRelaxation Response

Prayer Meditation Chanting - repetition Silence

Behavior modificationBehavior modification

Less smoking, drinking or high risk activities

Better diet - Seventh Day Adventists

Vibrational or Devine interventionVibrational or Devine intervention

? By science NTTE Non-Tactile Transfer of Energy

Medical Perspective -50 yrs.agoMedical Perspective -50 yrs.ago

B O D Y

Basic Needs: Food -Shelter

Medical Model - 20 yrs. agoMedical Model - 20 yrs. ago

M IN D

B O D YBasic Needs

Psychological NeedsSocial Support Needs

Placebo effectStress responseRelaxation response

New Developing Medical ModelNew Developing Medical Model

S P IR IT/S O U L

M IN D

B O D YBasic Needs

Psychological NeedsSocial Needs

Spiritual Needs Prayer- Intercessoryprayer

Study on intercessory prayer:San Francisco - Byrd Study1988Study on intercessory prayer:San Francisco - Byrd Study1988

Study Design: Randomized control CCU patients

Sample: n=393, prayed group n=192, control group n=201

Results: CHF 8 vs. 20 p<.03

pneumonia 3 vs. 13 ...

Conclusion: Pts. receiving prayer had favorable outcome

Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Prayer --1998-2001Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Prayer --1998-2001

Study Design: Randomized control CABG patients-multicenter

Intervention: Intercessory prayer - knowledge if being prayed for

Sample: n=2000

Three groups:

Prayed for + certain if being prayed for

Prayed for + uncertain if being prayed for

Not prayed for + uncertain if being prayed for

Outcomes: Complications - mortality -LOS

What kind of business are doctors in?What kind of business are doctors in?

Healers or

Drug Dealers