Effect of Recitation of Tawassul Prayer on Anxiety and Physiological Parameters of Patients with Myocardial Infarction Admitted to Coronary Care Unit: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background and Aims: Anxiety following acute myocardial infarction is a particularly important issue. Prayer is one of the basic human needs that is related to mental health. In this regard, this study aimed to determine the effect of recitation of Tawassul prayer on anxiety and physiological parameters of patients with myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 80 patients for 6 months from August 2017 to March 2018. They were selected by the targeted sampling method and randomly assigned to two groups with gender and age block randomization. The subjects were asked to complete the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Physiologic parameters were measured and participants in the intervention group listened to the recitation of the Tawassul Prayer with headphones. Results: In the experimental group, the mean of anxiety scores before and after intervention were 11.17±3.06 and 5.81±3.16, respectively, which had a significant difference (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores of anxiety before and after intervention (P<0.001) and the respiratory rate before and after intervention (P=0.025). Conclusion: Prayer affected the level of anxiety and respiratory rate. This prayer is useful for reducing anxiety and improving the respiratory rate in patients with myocardial infarction.