Thariqah-Based Neck Exercise Program Reduces
Headache Intensity among Indonesian College
Students

Thariqah-Based Neck Exercise Program Reduces
Headache Intensity among Indonesian College
Students

College students; dzikr; headache intensity; neck exercises;
Thariqah movement

Background: Headaches are common among students due to academic stress and
poor sleep habits. One way to reduce headaches is through neck exercises using
Thariqah movements. Previous studies have focused only on physical neck
exercises, yet a more holistic approach by combining dzikr (Laa ilaha ilallah)
recited Thariqah movements with the exercises has never been studied.
Purpose: This study aimed to determine the impact of Thariqah-based neck
exercises on headache intensity experienced by college students.
Methods: The study used a two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial design.
College nursing students were recruited through purposive sampling and then
sequentially randomized, with 64 respondents in each group. Participants in the
intervention group performed Thariqah-based neck exercises during dzikr three
times per week for three weeks, while those in the control group received
educational leaflets on headache management. Headache intensity was measured
using the Numeric Pain Scale (0-10 scale). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon
and Mann-Whitney tests.
Results: The results showed that Thariqah-based neck exercises performed during
dzikr had a significant effect on reducing headache intensity among students (p=
0.000). The differences in headache intensity before and after the intervention were
also significant between the intervention and control groups (p=0.000).
Conclusion: Neck exercises based on Thariqah movements accompanied by dzikr
recitation may serve as a practical option for self-therapy or complementary therapy
in managing mild to moderate headache complaints. The integration of physical and
spiritual elements offers potential benefits for both physical relief and emotional
well-being.

Sukarmin Sukarmin1,2, Elly Nurachmah2, Dewi Gayatri2, Sri Yona2, Nana Rochana3

https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v14i3.65016

27 April 2025

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