The effect of the Quran recitation on mental health of the Iranian medical staff

Abstract

This study was conducted with aim of determine the effect of the Quran recitation on mental health of the medical staff of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Sari, Iran). This quasi-experiment study was done in 2016. According to same study 80 medical staff of Mazandaran University of medical sciences (Mazandaran, Iran) were gathered according to inclusion criteria’s. Inclusion criteria’s were (i) complete satisfaction to study, (ii) no having mental or physical disorders. In case of emergency events participants were excluded from study. Then participants randomly distributed to two groups (40 participants in control and experimental group). Experimental group listened to some verses of the Holy Quran for 3 months at the beginning of each working day for 3 minutes, while the control group didn't receive the Quran recitation. The findings showed that 45% of staffs were male and 55% of staffs were women. The average age of staffs was 44.87 ± 3.56. The mean of mental health and all its domains, after hearing the verses of the Quran, in experimental group was higher than the control group (p < .05). Also women indicated a higher average score than men on mental health, behavioral and socio emotional domains. As a final conclusion and on the basis of the findings of this study; it can be said, particularly in Muslim communities, hearing the Quran recitations improves the mental state of the people. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Quran recitations to reinforce positive emotions and psychological comfort for Muslim staffs.