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Evaluation of the Effectiveness of “Noor” Prayer in Reducing Anxiety, Stress, and Depression and Improving Physical Symptoms of Covid-19 in Muslim Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19 in Iran Publisher



Fayyaz F1 ; Fatemi A2 ; Aliakbarzadeh H3 ; Mohammadi J4 ; Okhovvat A5 ; Jafari M6 ; Bagheri S7 ; Pishgahi M2 ; Nekooghadam SM2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Psychology, Women Research Center, Alzahra University, Iran
  2. 2. Men’s Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Traditional Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Science, University of Tehran, Iran
  6. 6. Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Centre, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Source: Spirituality in Clinical Practice Published:2025


Abstract

Hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease experience various psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, stress, and physical issues, which affect their mental health for months after recovery. Muslims, including those in Iran, highly recognize religious–spiritual interventions and integrate them into health care systems. Adhering to the principles of prayer can benefit many patients in this situation. The present study utilized a quasi-experimental design to examine the efficacy of Hazrat Zahra’s Noor Prayer in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression, as well as improving physical symptoms among patients hospitalized in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 87 patients who were selected using the convenience sampling method. They were then randomly assigned to the experimental group (N = 41) and the control group (N = 46). We evaluated the patients at various intervals, beginning from the day of their hospital admission and continuing until the 30th day. The researchers utilized the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale–21 to assess levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Researchers developed an inventory using a Likert scale to assess COVID-19 symptoms. This study demonstrated the efficacy of the Noor Prayer in alleviating patients’ psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the practice of the Noor Prayer yields positive outcomes in mitigating fatigue and physical impairment. Hence, the experimentally demonstrated efficacy of the prayer is a direct result of persistent recital of the prayer and the resulting process of spiritual growth. © 2025 American Psychological Association
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