Reading Holy Quran Associated With Better Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: As the global population ages, understanding factors that contribute to better cognitive function in older adults becomes crucial. This systematic review delves into the potential relationship between reading the Holy Quran and cognitive function in older adults. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across five electronic databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Tripdatabase, Cochrane) to identify relevant studies that were published between 2004 to December 2023. Inclusion criteria were centered on studies exploring the correlation between reading the Quran and cognitive function in older adults. Results: Five studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included in this systematic review. Notably, four of these studies reported a significant correlation between the intensity or duration of Quranic reading and improved cognitive function in older adults. Discussion: The findings imply a potential positive association between engaging with the Holy Quran and cognitive function among the elderly. This relationship holds promise for potential applications in cognitive health interventions for older adults especially for Muslim patients. Conclusion: This review provides evidence supporting the relationship between reading the Holy Quran and normal cognitive function in older adults. The consistent findings underscore the importance of further research to elucidate underlying mechanisms and consider potential implications for cognitive health interventions.