ADVISORY for Change of Date

      Media Teleconference 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. TODAY to Discuss Embargoed Results of Largest Study to Examine Effects of Third-Party Prayer; Findings to Be Published in April 4 Issue of the American Heart Journal

       NEW YORK, March 30 (AScribe Newswire) -- The American Heart Journal (AHJ) will publish Tuesday, April 4, the results of the Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP), the largest study to examine the effects of intercessory prayer-prayer provided by others. The STEP research team evaluated the impact of such prayer on patients recovering from coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

       Because the AHJ is no longer enforcing the Tuesday embargo, the study authors will conduct a media teleconference today to discuss key findings and take reporter questions.

       The STEP team is composed of investigators at six academic medical centers, including Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee; Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts; Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida; Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C; and the Mind/Body Medical Institute.

       WHEN:

       Embargoed Media Teleconference Today, Thursday March 30, 2006 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. US EST. Please note the change of date.

       To participate in the teleconference, please call 877-707-9631 and give the coordinator your name, media affiliation, and provide the conference ID "STEP".

       To receive an embargoed copy of the news release and the study, please contact Mechal Weiss, 212-642-7731, Mechal.Weiss@edelman.com .

       SPEAKERS:

       Herbert Benson, MD: Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and director of the Mind/Body Institute. Dr. Benson was co- principal investigator of STEP.

       Charles Bethea, MD: Chief Medical Officer for the Integris Baptist Heart Hospital. Dr. Bethea is a board-certified cardiologist. He was principal investigator of the Intregris Baptist Medical Center STEP study center.

       Jeffery A. Dusek, PhD: Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Dusek is a psychologist. He was project director and co-principal director of STEP, providing day-to-day oversight of the STEP study centers and the STEP clinical coordinating center.

       Sidney Levitsky MD: Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Levitsky is a board-certified cardiac surgeon. He was principal investigator of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center STEP study center.

       Father Dean Marek: Director, Chaplain Services Mayo Clinic. Father Marek was co-principal investigator of the Mayo Clinic STEP study center.

       - - - -

       CONTACTS: Mechal Weiss, 212-642-7731, Mechal.Weiss@edelman.com

       Todd Ringler, 617-872-1235, Todd.Ringler@edelman.com.

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