The relationship between spirituality with depression, anxiety, stress, and left ventricular function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Background Heart failure is a chronic and progressive disease. Psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress can worsen clinical outcomes and prognosis. Spiritual activity is a complementary therapy that may enhance psychological well-being and positively influence the clinical outcomes of heart failure patients. Methods This experimental clinical study involved 33 patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), divided into three groups of 11 subjects each: two treatment groups and one control group. Depression, anxiety, and stress levels were assessed using the DASS-42 questionnaire, while cardiac function was evaluated via echocardiography. Assessments were conducted before and after one month of treatment, which involved Qur’an recitation. Results The baseline characteristics of the three groups were homogeneous, with no significant differences in initial echocardiographic parameters or DASS-42 scores. After one month of Qur’an recitation in the treatment groups, there was a significant improvement in psychological conditions, reflected by reduced depression, anxiety, and stress scores. Additionally, there was a significant increase in ejection fraction (EF) (p = 0.03) and left ventricular outflow tract velocity-time integral (LVOT VTI) (p = 0.00). Conclusion Spiritual activity can improve psychological well-being and enhance left ventricular function in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).