The effect of listening to Qur'an on quality of life and sleep quality in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.

In 30 seconds

This open-label, participant-level randomized controlled trial with blinded statistical analysis examined whether listening to Qur’an during chemotherapy affected patient-reported quality of life and sleep in women with breast cancer. Participants received either standard care plus a recording of Surah Yasin during four chemotherapy sessions or standard care alone. Across four measurement points, global quality of life showed different patterns of change between groups (Group × Time interaction, p = 0.008), with between-group differences at T2 and T3. Sleep scores also changed differently over time (p < 0.001), and were lower in the listening group at T4 (p < 0.001).

Key findings

• Global quality of life showed a significant Group × Time interaction (p = 0.008), with between-group differences at T2 and T3.
• PSQI total scores showed a significant Group × Time interaction after Holm correction (p < 0.001).
• At T4, PSQI scores were significantly lower in the Qur’an listening group than in the control group (p < 0.001).
• Several EORTC QLQ-C30 functional and symptom domains showed significant Group × Time interactions after adjustment for multiple comparisons.

Why it matters

Quality of life and sleep are patient-reported outcomes during breast cancer chemotherapy. This trial suggests that a structured listening intervention may be associated with changes in both, providing a basis for further evaluation of supportive approaches alongside standard care. The findings are specific to the intervention and population studied and do not establish that the intervention caused the observed differences.

What to keep in mind

The study was open-label at the participant level, and the authors state that its limitations warrant cautious interpretation and confirmation in larger randomized controlled trials.