Contemplative prayer (CP) may improve depression in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. In a small study, five BD patients and five normal subjects, all believing in God, were medication-free during depressive episodes. A stable frontal alpha asymmetry QEEG pattern was observed in all patients. After CP, the focal left frontal alpha increment disappeared, suggesting CP reorganizes brain network interactions in the prefrontal cortex that support cognition-emotion interplay. The authors conclude CP is a promising tool for treating depression.
Centering praying (CP) appears to help manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in female sexual assault survivors. In a small randomized controlled trial, five women with PTSD due to sexual abuse or rape received CP treatment, while five matched controls did not. After treatment, patients showed significant improvement on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Quantitative electroencephalography revealed a stable increase in theta activity (4–8 Hz) in the left parietal-temporal-occipital areas, which progressively decreased toward normal as treatment continued. The authors conclude that CP offers a distinct, accessible pathway for promoting emotional regulation and resilience rooted in spirituality.