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Review of the Cardiovascular Implications of the Social and Religious Practices Associated with Donning Phylacteries

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Abstract

We previously published a manuscript suggesting that use of phylacteries, ritual straps worn during Jewish prayer services, affects cardiovascular and inflammatory function (Owens et al., Am J Physiol-Heart Circ Physiol, 315(6):H1748–H1758, 2018). Observed physiologic changes were associated with improved cardiac outcomes, though a direct link between phylactery use and improved cardiovascular outcomes is difficult to prove as there are a number of associated religious and spiritual practices that may confound the observed effects. In this review, we assess the scientific literature regarding religious and spiritual practices associated with phylactery in order to better understand the cardiovascular implications of the practice of donning phylacteries. We focus on key aspects traditionally associated with donning phylacteries including gathering in groups, meditation and prayer.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the critical review and suggestions from Arnold Schwartz and Jeff Levin. There is no data, text, or theories in this work that are not appropriately cited.

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  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML0586, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA

    Sydney Schacht, Brian O’Connor, Akiva Kirschner, Katie Steelman & Jack Rubinstein

  2. McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA

    David H. Rosmarin

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  1. Sydney Schacht
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The corresponding author is a physician-scientist affiliated with both the University of Cincinnati where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Cincinnati VA Medical Center where he is an attending physician. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and has an active cardiovascular translational science laboratory that has recently focused on understanding the clinical implications of donning phylacteries.

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Schacht, S., O’Connor, B., Kirschner, A. et al. Review of the Cardiovascular Implications of the Social and Religious Practices Associated with Donning Phylacteries. J Relig Health 62, 287–299 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01478-1

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