The effects of prayer on the quality of life in older adults

This study explored the effects of distance prayer and inward prayer in relation to the global health measure of quality of life. A pre- and post-test analysis was conducted to measure distance effects of prayer on quality of life over a 4-week study period. A secondary analysis was conducted to determine key variables driving quality of life scores. Participants of the distant prayer component consisted of older adults (n = 34) who were prayed for daily for 4 weeks by a group of praying/meditating agents ( n = 29), and a control group of older adults not receiving prayers (n = 29). The instrument used to measure quality of life was comprised of two aggregate scores of physical and mental health, and 8 sub-scale scores. Results for the distant effect analyses for the experimental group indicated no significant changes across the 10 scales of the quality of life measure. However, the control group showed a significant decline in perceived general health scores. The agent group showed improvements in 8 out of 10 scores with significant improvements in vitality and decreased bodily pain and trends of improvement in general health and restrictions as a result of emotional problems. A key driver of overall physical health for the older adult groups was income. Variables driving mental health scores were easy-going personal style and closeness to family. Frequency of prayer, religious service attendance, or prayer group attendance were not observed to be significant variables driving quality of life scores.