Effect of recitation of Quran on the anxiety of patients with myocardial infarction

Background: Anxiety reduction in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is essential due to severe complications. The current methods of treatments are primarily medical, while effective and safe treatments which accord with cultural and religious beliefs appear to have higher performance. Aim: survey the effect of Quran on the anxiety of patients with MI admitted to CCU. Methods: The present clinical-trial study was performed by randomized block design on 68 patients with MI which were assigned into two groups: experimental (33) and control (35). The experimental group listened to Quran twice daily for two days. Control group received no intervention. At baseline and in the end of each study, anxiety level of both groups was measured. Data were collected by reliable and valid Spielberger anxiety questionnaire and analyzed using chi-square, independent t-test, Repeated Measures and analysis of covariance. Results: Groups were significantly different regarding familiarity with quran (p=0.003) and insurance status (p=0.005), whereas other background factors were similar between two groups. At baseline, the mean anxiety in both groups was not significantly different. In terms of anxiety, a statistical difference was observed between groups after intervention in all four occasions (first occasion: experimental 31.9±7.1, control 40.8±13.2, second occasion: experimental 29.7±7.3, control 40.6±13.5, third occasion: experimental 28.8±6.9, control 39.5±13.9, and forth occasion: experimental 28.3±7.5, control 38.7±13.9) (P