International Journal of Human and Health Sciences. Supplementary Issue: 2019
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.31344/ijhhs.v0i0.154

 

S36 
 

Effects of Holy Quran Listening on Physiological S tress Response in 
Intensive Care Unit Patients 
 

Naeemah Abd Aziz, Saedah Ali, Mohamad Hasyizan Hassan  
 
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains 
Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia 

 

ABSTRACT 

 

Introduction: The intensive care unit (ICU) is one of the most stressful environments among 
various clinical settings. ICU patients are not only compromised by the illness, but they also 

faced with a wide range of stressors such as pain, unfamiliar environment and loss of interactio n 
with family and friends. Stress and anxiety will increase the sympathetic tone (sympathet ic 
nervous system) and stimulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response. 

Stressful circumstances as well as chronic diseases may alter the normal cortisol mechanis ms 
resulting in marked increases in plasma levels. Thus, high stress response will lead to delayed 

healing and prolong stays in ICU. Recitation of Quran by the sick person or for the sick person 
has shown to have direct healing effect on the sick person. Holy Quran Listening is the most 
suitable way for the patients in reduces stress responses during ICU stay.  

 
Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of Holy Quran Listening (HQL) in reducing stress 

response among ICU patients. 
 
Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit. 

Total 94 subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to either Control (n=49) or Holy Quran 
Listening (n=45) group respectively. The HQL given via headphone for 7 hours while control 

group given no music. Primary measures include mean blood pressure, heart rate, systolic blood 
pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum cortisol level and serum blood sugar. Secondary 
outcomes include duration of stay in intensive care unit, total usage of insulin and sedation. 

  
Results: The HQL group show clinically significant in reducing HR and SBP over time. Serum 

cortisol level is stable in HQL group. However, there are no significantt reduction in duration 
of stay, total usage of sedation and insulin. 
 

Conclusion: HQL is one of the adjunct methods that can be used to reduce stress response 
among ICU patients. 

 
Keywords: listening, intensive, care, unit, stress, response, physiological.