Can disruptive dementia
behavior improve through prayer when people pray on behalf of
others? A research study that lasted 12 weeks focused on answering this
question and reducing disruptive behavior of six
late-stage dementia patients. A group of
Catholic nuns offered the Lord's Prayer for assigned patients twice a day. A
second group of nuns prayed for the entire subject group via the Perpetual Adoration religious devotion. Disruptions in behavior of patients
with dementia were documented from three weeks pre-intervention to three weeks
post-intervention.
What were the research results of this study on prayer and dementia? The average effect of prayer on
behavior resulted in a reduction of disruptive incidents for the group in
approximately 27 behavior categories per week. This study suggests “it is
feasible to improve the life quality of patients in the terminal phase of their
illness through prayer reducing their need to respond to life in a disturbed
manner."
Those who are skeptical about
the idea of prayer influencing disruptive dementia behavior may be interested
in this video featuring Larry Dossey, MD, a former
skeptic himself, who explains his own research on how prayer can be a valuable
spiritual healing tool for mind, body, medicine practitioners.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
