This study investigated the proposition of relaxation offered by performing the Muslim prayers by measuring the alpha brain activity in the frontal (F3-F4), central (C3-C4), parietal (P3-P4), and occipital (O1-O2) electrode placements using the International 10-20 System. Nine Muslim subjects were asked to perform the four required cycles of movements of Dhuha prayer, and the EEG were subsequently recorded with open eyes under three conditions, namely, resting, performing four cycles of prayer while reciting the specific verses and supplications, and performing four cycles of acted salat condition (prayer movements without any recitations). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests revealed that there were no significant difference in the mean alpha relative power (RP(α)) between the alpha amplitude in the Dhuha prayer and the acted conditions in all eight electrode positions. However, the mean RP(α) showed higher alpha amplitude during the prostration position of the Dhuha prayer and acted condition at the parietal and occipital regions in comparison to the resting condition. Findings were similar to other studies documenting increased alpha amplitude in parietal and occipital regions during meditation and mental concentration. The incidence of increased alpha amplitude suggested parasympathetic activation, thus indicating a state of relaxation. Subsequent studies are needed to delineate the role of mental concentration, and eye focus, on alpha wave amplitude while performing worshipping acts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed substantial pressure on intensive care units (ICUs), particularly in managing patients who require oxygen therapy and must be safely weaned from it. This study evaluated an HRV-guided respiratory biofeedback program as a non-pharmacological method to reduce respiratory discomfort and psychological distress during oxygen weaning in COVID-19 patients. A non-randomized quasi-experimental study was conducted with 80 ICU patients at Albehera Hospital, Beheira, Egypt. Patients were allocated to either a biofeedback group ([Formula: see text]) or a control group ([Formula: see text]). Both groups received standard oxygen-weaning care and routine nursing support, but only the biofeedback group received structured sessions combining diaphragmatic breathing with heart rate variability based respiratory training. The Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) were administered before and after the intervention. After adjusting for baseline scores, the biofeedback group demonstrated a markedly larger reduction in RDOS scores (from 14.48 to 4.23; [Formula: see text]) and significant improvements in DASS-21 depression, anxiety, and stress subscales ([Formula: see text]), whereas the control group showed only minimal changes. These findings suggest that HRV-guided respiratory biofeedback may enhance both respiratory comfort and psychological well-being during oxygen weaning in COVID-19 patients and could serve as a valuable adjunct to standard ICU care. Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these results and guide clinical implementation.