Effect of Muslim prayer (Salat) on α electroencephalography and its relationship with autonomic nervous system activity.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effect of Muslim prayer (salat) on the α relative power (RPα) of electroencephalography (EEG) and autonomic nervous activity and the relationship between them by using spectral analysis of EEG and heart rate variability (HRV).


METHODS
Thirty healthy Muslim men participated in the study. Their electrocardiograms and EEGs were continuously recorded before, during, and after salat practice with a computer-based data acquisition system (MP150, BIOPAC Systems Inc., Camino Goleta, California). Power spectral analysis was conducted to extract the RPα and HRV components.


RESULTS
During salat, a significant increase (p<.05) was observed in the mean RPα in the occipital and parietal regions and in the normalized unit of high-frequency (nuHF) power of HRV (as a parasympathetic index). Meanwhile, the normalized unit of low-frequency (nuLF) power and LF/HF of HRV (as sympathetic indices) decreased according to HRV analyses. RPα showed a significant positive correlation in the occipital and parietal electrodes with nuHF and significant negative correlations with nuLF and LF/HF.


CONCLUSIONS
During salat, parasympathetic activity increased and sympathetic activity decreased. Therefore, regular salat practices may help promote relaxation, minimize anxiety, and reduce cardiovascular risk.
1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia .
Hazem
H
Doufesh
Fatimah
F
Ibrahim
Noor Azina
NA
Ismail
Wan Azman
WA
Wan Ahmad
D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D055815:Young Adult