The Effect of Prayer on Level of Anxiety in Mothers of Children with Cancer

Abstract Introduction Cancers are one of the most common chronic diseases in children that cause fear and anxiety in them and their families. Praying is one of the methods can be used for reducing anxiety. In this study, we examined praying effect on anxiety in mothers with children suffer from cancer. Materials and Methods This randomized clinical trial was done on 60 mothers divided in two groups (n=30). In first group prayer therapy was done for three weeks by mothers. In control group prayer therapy was not done. Data was collected by state anxiety spilberger test and mean anxiety was compared between two groups by analytical statistical test. Results The results showed that difference between mean anxiety in two groups was significant (p=0.001), and mean anxiety reduced after praying from 56.2+_13.9 to 40.9+_12.4 in case group (p=0.001). Conclusion The results of this study showed that praying can reduce anxiety in mothers with children suffer from cancer and could be useful for them.