Impact of Quran Recitation on Labor Pain, Maternal Comfort, and Blood Pressure: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Nulliparous Women

Background : Labor pain and childbirth comfort significantly affect maternal satisfaction, labor progression, and psychological well-being. Non-pharmacological methods are increasingly explored to manage labor pain safely and holistically. Quran recitation, a culturally and spiritually rooted auditory intervention, may offer psychological and physiological benefits during childbirth. Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of Quran recitation in reducing labor pain intensity, comfort during childbirth, and blood pressure among nulliparous women in Oman. Methods : A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Khoula Hospital, Oman, involving 120 nulliparous women with singleton term pregnancies. Participants were assigned to either the Quran recitation group (n = 60) or the back massage group (n = 60). Data were collected using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Pain Behavioral Observation Scale (PBOS-3), Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire (CCQ), and physiological measures of blood pressure. Pre- and post-intervention comparisons were performed using paired t-tests and ANOVA. Results : Quran recitation significantly reduced mean VAS pain scores (76.45 ± 8.20 to 58.32 ± 7.16, p = 0.001) compared to back massage, which showed a non-significant change (62.88 ± 8.44 to 61.10 ± 7.98, p > 0.05). The intervention group also demonstrated significant improvements in pain behaviors, comfort levels (total CCQ score p = 0.002), and reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.001). Conclusion : Quran recitation is a safe, culturally congruent, and effective non-pharmacological intervention for reducing labor pain and enhancing maternal comfort. It has physiological calming effects and can be considered as a complementary strategy in obstetric care for Muslim women.