Effect of Midnight Prayer on Sympathetic Tone
Abstract: Hypertension is one
of the most dangerous ailments which most common risk factor is stress that can
activate sympathetic system leading to increased blood pressure. Midnight
prayer is believed to calm mind. This study was conducted to discover the
effect of midnight prayer on sympathetic tone.
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Bina Siswa Senior
High SchoolSMA Plus Cisarua Boarding School, Lembang from October to November
2013. Sixty eight participants were divided into 3 groups based on frequency;
high, low, and non midnight prayer. Blood pressure and pulse rate of
participants were examined before, during, and after the cold pressor test is
taken. Blood pressure and pulse rate duration of recovery were also measured.
Results: This study showed no significant difference between 3 groups in
term of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate.
However, the lowest mean of pulse rate (64.38±8.921 vs 66.69±11.482 vs
65.44±9.584 respectively), systolic blood pressure [107.19±6.945 vs
117.13±13.426 vs 104.25 (75–120) respectively], and diastolic blood pressure
[70.38±7.719 vs 77.38±10.935 vs 70.63±7.491 respectively] were obtained in the
high midnight prayer group. Recovery duration of blood pressure [6.38 (6–8) vs
6.72 (6–11) vs 6.75 (6–11) respectively] and pulse rate (6.69±0.946 vs
7.03±1.341 vs 7.00±1.506 respectively) among the groups showed no significant
difference respectively, however the shortest duration was obtained in the high
midnight prayer group.
Conclusions: Midnight prayer has no significant effect on sympathetic
tone.
Author: Hadiyatussalamah Pusfa
Kencanasari, Achmad Fauzi Yahya, Setiawan
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160083