Spiritual elements play an important role in the recovery process from
acute postoperative pain. This study was conducted to assess the effect of pray
meditation on
postoperative pain reduction and physiologic responds among muslim patients who underwent cesarean surgery under
spinal anesthesia. This double-blinded randomized clinical trial study was conducted among muslim patients who underwent cesarean surgery under
spinal anesthesia during 2011-2013 at tertiary regional and teaching hospital in Lorestan, Iran. The patients were randomly divided into interventional group (n=80) and control group (n=80). For about 20 minutes using a disposable phone mentioned and listened to pray
meditation "Ya man esmoho davaa va zekroho shafa, Allahomma salle ala mohammad va ale mohammad" in interventional group and phone off in control group. Before and during pray
meditation, 30, 60 minutes, 3 and 6 hours after pray
meditation pain intensity, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured. No statistically significant improvement in
pain score was found before and during pray
meditation, 30, 60 minutes after pray
meditation (P>0.05). Statistically significant improvement in
pain score was found at 3 and 6 hours after pray
meditation than control group (1.5 ± 0.3 vs. 3 ± 1.3, P=0.030) and (1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3 ± 1.1, P=0.003). However, there was no significant difference in the physiological responses (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate) any time between the groups. Religion and spirituality intervention such as pray
meditation could be used as one of non-pharmacological
pain management techniques for reducing
pain after cesarean surgery. Also, Pray
meditation provides less
postoperative nausea and vomiting (
PONV) and more relaxation.