First person studies Efficacy of prayer

a bolivian aymara woman praying

an example of study on meditative prayer bernardi study in british medical journal in 2001. reported praying rosary or reciting yoga mantras @ specific rates, baroreflex sensitivity increased in cardiovascular patients.

a study published in 2008 used eysenck s dimensional model of personality based on neuroticism , psychoticism assess mental health of high school students based on self-reported frequency of prayer. students both in catholic , protestant schools, higher levels of prayer associated better mental health measured lower psychoticism scores. however, among pupils attending catholic schools, higher levels of prayer associated higher neuroticism scores.

many accept prayer can aid in recovery due psychological , physical benefits. has been suggested if person knows or being prayed can uplifting , increase morale, aiding recovery. (see subject-expectancy effect.) many studies have suggested prayer can reduce physical stress, regardless of god or gods person prays to, , may true many reasons. according study centra state hospital, psychological benefits of prayer may reduce stress , anxiety, promote more positive outlook, , strengthen live. other practices such yoga, t ai chi, , meditation may have positive impact on physical , psychological health.

a 2001 study meisenhelder , chandler analyzed data obtained 1,421 presbyterian pastors surveyed mail , found self-reported frequency of prayer well-correlated self-perception of health , vitality. research methodology has inherent problems self-selection, selection bias, , residual confounding, , authors admitted direction of perceived prayer , health relationships remains inconclusive due limits of correlational research design .

a 2008 study bhutkar, et al. considered 78 subjects, concluded regular practice of surya namaskar had positive impact on cardio-respiratory health.