University of Maryland Research on Prayer's Health Benefits
180 primary-care patients, 83% Black, 78% female, participated.
Non-pharmacological intervention involved laying-on-of-hands.
Prayer led to immediate pain reduction and lasting anxiety relief.
97% of participants wanted future access to prayer.
Study not blinded, so placebo or mind-body effects may be involved.
Future studies needed to confirm findings and use PIP as an adjunct.
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