Al-Qur’an Murottal Therapy to Reduce Cardiovascular Reactivity to Handgrip in Hypertensive Pre-Elderly Subjects

Abstract

Cardiovascular reactivity is a response of the cardiovascular system when it reacts to physical stress or psychological stress that can affect hemodynamics. Murottal therapy as a complementary treatment to lower high blood pressure and it is an efficient therapy that can be easily done by every individual. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Al-Qur'an murottal therapy in reducing cardiovascular reactivity to handgrip in hypertensive pre-elderly. The study used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The sampling technique was non-probability(non-random) sampling with a quota sampling technique of 60 hypertensive pre-elderly grouped non-randomly (n = 30) into the intervention group (odd number), and (n = 30) the control group. The research subjects were given an isometric handgrip test for 3 minutes and measured after a 5-minute rest period, then given Al-Qur'an (Surah Ar-Rahman) Murrotal therapy for 15 minutes for 3 consecutive days and evaluated on day 3 on the BP variable, pulse, and MAP with digital tensimeter. Data were analyzed using an Independent T-Test. The results showed that the response in the form of increased systolic blood pressure was significantly higher for posthandgrip cardiovascular reactivity (p-value <0.05). The group that was given Al-Qur'an murottal therapy showed a significant positive response in the form of a decrease in systolic blood pressure (delta-12.97 +/- 8.34 mm Hg; p-value = 0.000), diastolic blood pressure (delta -7.07. +/- 6.85 mm Hg; p-value = 0.000), and MAP (delta -9.26 +/- 5.81; p-value = 0.000) on cardiovascular reactivity but not on pulse (p-value> 0.05). This study concluded Al-Qur'an murottal therapy can reduce blood pressure reactivity, but does not affect pulse reactivity, through handgrip isometric exercises.