This research, titled “The Effect of Reciting the Quran on the Anxiety of Neurosurgery Muslim Candidates” by Salari, Fayzi, Abdipuor, Ghasemi, Shohaimi, and Mohammadi (2025), investigates a crucial aspect of patient care: managing preoperative anxiety. Anxiety is a highly prevalent and unpleasant complication experienced by many patients undergoing various surgeries, including neurosurgery, which can affect patients both physically and emotionally. Such anxiety and fear, particularly observed in procedures like craniotomy, can even lead to the cancellation or delay of surgery. While numerous nonpharmacological methods such as exercise, diet, relaxation techniques, book therapy, and soothing music are employed to reduce sympathetic reactions due to their effectiveness, low cost, and noninvasive nature, attention to spiritual interventions and spiritual health is also recognized as a significant way to control and reduce anxiety. Reciting and listening to the Holy Quran is specifically highlighted as a nonpharmacological approach, akin to psychological methods and cognitive therapies, used for anxiety management. The study’s primary objective was to investigate the effect of the sound of the Quran on the anxiety levels of Muslim patients who were candidates for neurosurgery.
The study employed an interventional research design with a pretest and posttest, including a control group. The research population consisted of Muslim patients undergoing brain and nerve surgery in teaching-treatment hospitals throughout 2019-2020. Samples were selected using probability and simple random sampling methods. A total of 60 patients participated, equally divided into an experimental group and a control group (30 patients each). Inclusion criteria for participants included a Spielberger Anxiety Scale score of 41 or higher (indicating moderate to severe anxiety), no use of painkillers or anti-anxiety drugs, an age range of 20–60 years, and provision of written informed consent. Data collection utilized a personal information questionnaire, the Spielberger Anxiety Scale (which assesses both situational/overt anxiety and personality/covert anxiety), and a vital sign registration checklist (for blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration). The control group received standard psychological preparation, including informing, educating, and familiarizing patients with the surgery and its potential complications. In contrast, the experimental group listened to selected verses from the Quran (Surah Fajr and Hijrat) for 20 minutes using headphones in a secluded room before entering the operating room. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software version 24, with a 95% confidence level.
The results demonstrated a statistically significant positive effect of Quran recitation on reducing anxiety. Specifically, the study found that the sound of the Quran led to a decrease in the level of anxiety in the experimental group. The effect size for overt anxiety was 53.5%, and for covert anxiety, it was 40%. Beyond psychological well-being, the intervention also positively impacted physiological indicators, with effect sizes showing a decrease in blood pressure (4.3%), breathing rate (20.9%), and heart rate (21.5%). Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in both overt and covert anxiety subscales, as well as in breathing and heart rate, after controlling for pretest scores (p < 0.05). While a significant difference was observed for blood pressure in the paired t-test within the experimental group (p=0.001), the independent t-test comparing groups in posttest after controlling for pretest did not show a statistically significant difference for blood pressure (p=0.120), indicating a smaller inter-group effect for this specific vital sign.
The discussion emphasizes that music, including the “soul-enhancing music of reciting the Holy Quran,” stimulates the human brain at sensory, motor, perceptual-cognitive, and emotional levels. The unique “miracle hidden in the music and phonetic order of the Qur’an” is believed to influence listeners even without understanding the verses. Furthermore, the study reinforces the idea that spirituality and religion can be effective in patients by fostering feelings of support and motivation, acting as a source of support to facilitate coping with stress. Many mental disorders, including anxiety, are suggested to stem from damage to a person’s spirituality, and addressing these damages can lead to mental health improvement. This aligns with evidence suggesting that Quran recitation is more effective in reducing anxiety than other types of music. The findings are particularly relevant given the strong belief among Muslim patients in the healing power of the Quran, with surveys indicating widespread use of Quran recitation for healing and treatment. The method is highlighted as simple, cost-effective, and easily implementable alongside other nursing care.
In conclusion, the study strongly indicates that the sound of the Quran is a positive and effective factor in reducing anxiety before neurosurgery in Muslim patients. Given the high prevalence of anxiety before major surgeries like neurosurgery, identifying and utilizing simple, cost-effective methods such as Quran recitation is crucial. The authors suggest that health policymakers can utilize these results as a research priority to reduce preoperative anxiety. Acknowledging limitations, the study notes its specific focus on neurosurgery and Muslim patients, recommending further research for other types of surgery and on non-Muslim populations to understand the broader impact of Quranic sound.
Reference: Salari, N., Fayzi, R., Abdipuor, E., Ghasemi, H., Shohaimi, S., & Mohammadi, M. (2025). The effect of reciting the Quran on the anxiety of neurosurgery Muslim candidates. Health Science Reports, 8(4), e70629.