The effect of Hajat prayer on the open and hidden anxiety of family members of patients undergoing neurosurgery in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital

Surgery usually causes psychological stress (fear and anxiety). This study aimed to determine the effect of Hajat prayer on the anxiety level of family members of patients undergoing Neurosurgery in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan.

This semi-experimental study was performed on 80 family members of patients undergoing neurosurgery in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital in 2018. Samples were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. After daily prayers in experimental group prayed two rak'ats Hajat prayers from 48 hours before surgery to 24 hours after surgery and prayed for their patients five minutes after praying. In the control, prayers were performed according to routine. At the beginning of the study and one day after surgery, the Spielberger questionnaire was completed by the patients' family members in two groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 20 using Chi-square, Covariance.

There was no significant difference in demographic variables between the two groups before intervention (P≥0.05). The results of covariance analysis showed that there was a significant difference between two groups after intervention in open and hidden anxiety and total anxiety score (P≤0.05).

Prayer can decrease the open and hidden anxiety of the family members of patients undergoing neurosurgery. Therefore, its use as a complementary method for reduce anxiety is suggested.