Innovative Approaches in Health Science Journal
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Innovative Approaches in Health Science Journal

Short-Term Changes in Recorded Anxiety and Systolic Blood Pressure After a Dhikr-Based Relaxation Intervention in Cancer Patient: Dhikr Relaxation and Anxiety

Andi Sulfikar (Departement of Nursing, Pelamonia Institute of Health Sciences, Makassar, Indonesia)
Andriana Arfah (H. Padjonga Dg. Ngalle Takalar Regional General Hospital, Takalar, Indonesia)
Musdalipah (dr. Lapalaloi Maros Regional General Hospital, Maros, Indonesia.)
Syahrul Said (Departement of Nursing, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia.)
Titi Iswanti Afelya (Departement of Nursing, Cenderawasih University, Papua, Indonesia.)
Indah Restika BN (Departementr of Nursing, Nani Hasanuddin Institute of Health Sciences, Makassar, Indonesia.)
Ridwan (Departementr of Nursing, Bhayangkara Makassar School of Health Sciences, Makassar, Indonesia.)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is common during cancer care, and spiritually congruent supportive interventions may be acceptable to patients who request them. Evidence from local implementation settings remains limited. Objective: To evaluate short-term changes in recorded anxiety severity and systolic blood pressure after a dhikr-based relaxation intervention among hospitalized adults with cancer. Methods: This evidence-based practice implementation project used a one-group pretest-posttest evaluation. Sixteen participants were recruited through a nonprobability consecutive approach between 4 and 26 November 2019. The intervention comprised two 15-minute sessions separated by a 30-minute rest period and combined guided slow breathing, relaxation, and Islamic dhikr. Anxiety and vital signs were assessed immediately before and after the intervention. Results: The recorded anxiety category score decreased from 2.31 (SD 0.79) to 1.44 (SD 1.03; p = 0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 125.63 (SD 15.90) to 113.13 (SD 16.22) mmHg (p = 0.001). The archived pulse output contained no pretest or posttest descriptive values and was not interpreted. Conclusion: The combined dhikr, breathing, and relaxation intervention was associated with lower immediate postintervention anxiety category scores and systolic blood pressure. The small sample and absence of a control group preclude causal attribution.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IAHSJ

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health Other

Description

"Innovative Approaches in Health Science Journal" focuses on innovative approaches in health sciences. This journal is committed to presenting the latest research and scientific contributions that discuss new methods, techniques or approaches that can increase understanding and improvement in ...