The Therapeutic Effects of Qur’anic-Based Spiritual Interventions on Psychological and Physiological Outcomes: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Spiritual interventions are increasingly recognized as valuable complementary approaches to support psychological and physiological well-being. The Qur’an, as a source of spiritual comfort and guidance in Islam, has been used in various clinical contexts to promote relaxation, alleviate anxiety, and enhance recovery. Evidence from recent biomedical and psychosocial studies has begun to explore the measurable effects of Qur’anic recitation and related practices on health outcomes. This literature review aims to summarize current evidence on the therapeutic effects of Qur’anic-based spiritual interventions on clinical outcomes, including stress, anxiety, pain, comfort, depression, physical and mental health, gene expression, and physiological parameters across different patient populations. A structured search was performed in the PubMed database using the keywords “Qur’an,” “spiritual intervention,” “clinical outcomes,” and “response.”  Twenty relevant studies were identified and reviewed. Eligible articles included clinical or experimental research investigating Qur’an recitation, listening, or related spiritual practices in patients or healthy individuals. Extracted data were summarized narratively according to population, intervention type, outcomes measured, and key findings. Most studies reported significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and pain, alongside improved comfort, mood, and overall mental well-being following Qur’anic recitation or listening. Physiological benefits such as reduced heart rate, stabilized blood pressure, and improved oxygen saturation were observed in surgical, hemodialysis, and intensive care settings. A few studies demonstrated molecular and gene expression changes linked to stress response and immune regulation. Variations in study design and intervention duration limited direct comparability. Qur’anic-based spiritual interventions show promising therapeutic potential as low-cost, non-pharmacological strategies to improve psychological resilience and physiological balance across diverse medical contexts. Further well-designed clinical and mechanistic studies are warranted to establish standardized protocols and elucidate underlying biological pathways.