The impact of Holy Qur’an therapy on anxiety reduction in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Abstract

Patients with diabetes mellitus often face a range of complications, one of the most significant being diabetic ulcers. Those suffering from diabetic ulcers typically experience higher levels of anxiety compared to patients with diabetes who do not have complications. This heightened anxiety can be attributed to several factors, including increased dependency, feelings of fear, a greater need for healthcare, and reduced mobility. Furthermore, the anxiety among patients with diabetic ulcers is exacerbated by the prolonged wound healing process and the fact that the risk of mortality triples within 18 months following the onset of the first foot ulcer. To manage the anxiety levels in diabetic ulcer patients during wound care, non-pharmacological therapies can be effective, one of which is Al-Qur'an Murattal therapy. The recitation of the Qur'an, delivered through the human voice, serves as a powerful healing medium and is easily accessible. This therapeutic approach has been shown to decrease stress hormones, activate natural endorphins, and promote relaxation. It also serves as a distraction from fear, improves the body’s chemical balance, lowers blood pressure, and slows breathing, heart rate, and brain wave activity. A slower or deeper breathing rate fosters calmness, emotional regulation, clearer thinking, and enhanced metabolism. In this case study, the non-pharmacological intervention applied was Al-Qur'an therapy, administered for 30 minutes daily between 14:00 and 14:30 over a period of two days. Following the intervention, the anxiety score, measured using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HARS) questionnaire, decreased from 25 to 18, indicating a significant reduction in anxiety levels.

Keywords: Diabetic foot ulcers; anxiety; Holy Qur’an; complementary therapy; community nursing