Medical Effects of Proximal (In-person) Intercessory (PIP) and Virtual Intercessory Prayer (VIP) on Pain and Anxiety

Part of paid clinical trials in Baltimore, Maryland.

Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Study ID
NCT07565142
Status
Completed

Conditions

  • Complementary Therapies
  • Pain and Anxiety

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Intercessory Prayer — BEHAVIORAL
    Brief Christian prayer (5-15 minutes) led by trained volunteer prayer practitioners following a standardized 5-step prayer model. Delivered in person (Arm 1) or via Zoom Healthcare (Arm 3).
  • Music Listening — BEHAVIORAL
    5 minutes of soothing instrumental music.

Study Details

This study examines whether proximal (in-person) intercessory prayer (PIP) and virtual intercessory prayer (VIP) can reduce pain and anxiety in adults seeking care at a family medicine clinic. Participants who report moderate or higher levels of pain or anxiety will be randomly assigned to receive either brief Christian prayer (in person or virtually) or a control condition of 5 minutes of relaxing music. Prayer sessions last approximately 5 to 15 minutes and are led by trained prayer practitioners. All participants complete surveys about their pain and anxiety levels before and after the session, and again at 2 to 4 weeks and 6 to 8 weeks. The goal is to determine whether prayer leads to greater improvement in pain and anxiety symptoms compared to the control condition, whether effects differ between in-person and virtual prayer, and how participants perceive the experience.

Key Dates

Start date
May 20, 2024
Status verified
Apr 2026
Primary completion
May 19, 2025
Completion
May 19, 2025

Study Design

Enrollment
180 participants (actual)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Proximal (In-Person) Intercessory Prayer (PIP)
    5-15 minutes of in person PIP from a volunteer prayer practitioner following the 5-step prayer model
  • Active Comparator: In-Person Music Control
    5 minutes of soothing instrumental music in a private room
  • Experimental: Virtual Intercessory Prayer (VIP)
    5-15 minutes of VIP over zoom from a volunteer prayer practitioner following the 5-step prayer model
  • Active Comparator: Virtual Music Control
    5 minutes of soothing instrumental music in a private zoom room

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Pain Intensity [ Time Frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention, 2-4 weeks, and 6-8 weeks ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of Maryland Department of Family and Community MedicineBaltimoreMaryland21201-

Find similar trials in Baltimore, MD

By research site
University of Maryland Department of Family and Community Medicine· Baltimore, MD

Related Studies