Influence of prayer and prayer habits on outcome in patients with severe head injury

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of prayers on the recovery of the unconscious patients admitted after traumatic brain injury. Material and Results: A retrospective study of patients with severe head injury was conducted. The Glasgow Coma Scale and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were examined along with age, gender, smoking, and alcohol intake. There were 13 patients who received prayer and 13 who did not receive prayer during the hospital stay with almost identical mean Glasgow Coma Scale score. The prayer group stayed in the hospital for more days (P =. 03). On multivariate analysis, patients' age (P =. 01), admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (P =. 009), and prayer habits (P =. 007) were significant factors. Conclusion: Patients with prayers habits recovered better following severe head injury. The role of intercessory prayer needs further studies in larger groups.