-
Advances in Mind-body MedicinePatients with dementia experience various behavioral symptoms in the course of their illnesses, which greatly affect their quality of life. Current treatment modalities... (Review)
Review
Patients with dementia experience various behavioral symptoms in the course of their illnesses, which greatly affect their quality of life. Current treatment modalities are not always effective, and, thus, nonpharmacological approaches are the preferred first-line therapy for managing such symptoms. They generally address the basic needs of the person with dementia and provide humane care, often producing noticeable improvements in symptoms. Thus, such therapies should precede pharmacological interventions. The following literature review of 5 publications from 2010 to 2015 evaluates the use of therapeutic touch (TT) in the management of responsive behavior in patients with dementia. The results of the review suggest that TT may be beneficial in reducing agitation in individuals with dementia; however, further research is needed to assess the use of TT.
Topics: Dementia; Humans; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 27925607
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2007Anxiety disorders are a common occurrence in today's society. There is interest from the community in the use of complementary therapies for anxiety disorders. This... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Anxiety disorders are a common occurrence in today's society. There is interest from the community in the use of complementary therapies for anxiety disorders. This review examined the currently available evidence supporting the use of therapeutic touch in treating anxiety disorders.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the efficacy and adverse effects of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Controlled Trials Registers (CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References) (search date 13/01/06), the Controlled Trials website and Dissertation Abstracts International. Searches of reference lists of retrieved papers were also carried out and experts in the field were contacted.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Inclusion criteria included all published and unpublished randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing therapeutic touch with sham (mimic) TT, pharmacological therapy, psychological treatment, other treatment or no treatment /waiting list. The participants included adults with an anxiety disorder defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV),the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), validated diagnostic instruments, or other validated clinician or self-report instruments.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently applied inclusion criteria. Further information was sought from trialists where papers contained insufficient information to make a decision about eligibility.
MAIN RESULTS
No randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders were identified.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and the current paucity of evidence on therapeutic touch in this population, there is a need for well conducted randomised controlled trials to examine the effectiveness of therapeutic touch for anxiety disorders.
Topics: Anxiety Disorders; Humans; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 17636838
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006240.pub2 -
Director (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1998
Topics: Aged; Geriatric Nursing; Holistic Nursing; Humans; Long-Term Care; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 10531869
DOI: No ID Found -
Le Journal CANNT = CANNT Journal : the... 1998Therapeutic touch, developed 25 years ago by Dolores Krieger, RN, PhD, and Dora Kunz, continues to gain ever wider acceptance in the health care field for one reason--it... (Review)
Review
Therapeutic touch, developed 25 years ago by Dolores Krieger, RN, PhD, and Dora Kunz, continues to gain ever wider acceptance in the health care field for one reason--it works. In our high-tech dialysis world of invasive, often painful procedures, therapeutic touch offers a welcome reprieve for patients and staff alike. For patients it has decreased restlessness, anxiety, fear and the pain from cannulations and central venous catheter insertions. Besides helping the recipients, therapeutic touch also affects the practitioners, with most practitioners reporting a greater sense of calm and well-being, in addition to the personal satisfaction of being able to offer a treatment that brings such relief to stressed-out patients. This article will introduce therapeutic touch and its use in the clinical setting.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Holistic Nursing; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Nursing Research; Renal Dialysis; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 9807324
DOI: No ID Found -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... 2003
Review
Topics: Holistic Nursing; Humans; Nurse's Role; Nurse-Patient Relations; Nursing Methodology Research; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 12564348
DOI: No ID Found -
Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive... 2022This study aimed to investigate the use of therapeutic touch (TT) in the management of responsive behaviors in patients with dementia. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to investigate the use of therapeutic touch (TT) in the management of responsive behaviors in patients with dementia.
METHODS
A randomized, double-blinded control trial was used to compare response to TT in a population with responsive behaviors in dementia, in 3 phases, pretreatment, treatment, and posttreatment each lasting 5 days. The participants were divided into three groups: experimental, placebo, and control. The experimental group received regular TT, the placebo group received mimic TT, and the control group received regular routine care. Behavior was observed and recorded by trained research assistants every 20 min during the study time throughout each of the phases. Modified Agitated Behavior Rating Scale (ABRS) and Revised Memory and Behavior Check (RMBC) scores were used to assess the behavioral symptoms of dementia throughout the study.
RESULTS
All groups had decreasing RMBC scores during the pretreatment period, however; the experimental TT group was the only group whose RMBC scores continued to decrease during the treatment period. All groups had a similar pattern of rates of change in ABRS scores over the 15-day period, with no differential pattern of results related to experimental TT.
CONCLUSION
Despite limited evidence, TT should be explored as an adjunctive therapy for reducing behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia. Further research is needed to determine the effects of TT on responsive behaviors in dementia. There is a need for studies with larger sample sizes, equal distribution of participants between groups (in terms of dementia stages), and longer post study follow-ups.
Topics: Anxiety; Dementia; Humans; Research Design; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 35340008
DOI: 10.1159/000523752 -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Jul 1998Therapeutic Touch (TT) is being proposed as a nursing intervention. Its proponents claim that it is integral to the art of nursing practice and can facilitate comfort... (Review)
Review
Therapeutic Touch (TT) is being proposed as a nursing intervention. Its proponents claim that it is integral to the art of nursing practice and can facilitate comfort and healing in a wide range of patients. However, the practice of TT is also controversial, primarily because it does not usually involve physical contact and is based on energy field theoretical frameworks. The development of TT and its conceptualization as an energy field interaction are reviewed, and points of controversy discussed. The method of practice is described. Review of controlled efficacy studies indicates limited and inconclusive scientific support for its proposed effects. The intrinsic relationship between TT and the placebo phenomenon is discussed. The potential of TT to enhance the placebo effect requires further exploration but should not be discounted in seeking to relieve discomfort and distress and facilitate healing. For some patients, TT may serve as a beneficial adjuvant nursing intervention.
Topics: Humans; Nursing; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 9687138
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.1998.00771.x -
Journal of Advanced Nursing Jan 1998
Topics: Humans; Therapeutic Touch; Wound Healing
PubMed: 9515630
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing Apr 1996Therapeutic touch is a nursing intervention pioneered more than 20 years ago. A substantial body of literature encompassing theory, clinical practice, and research... (Review)
Review
Therapeutic touch is a nursing intervention pioneered more than 20 years ago. A substantial body of literature encompassing theory, clinical practice, and research exists on this energetic healing modality. This article examines the scientific basis for healing through the human energy field, including the basic assumptions from which therapeutic touch was developed and a summary of related research. It also discusses integration of therapeutic touch into clinical practice and identifies resources for further exploration.
Topics: Anxiety; Humans; Pain; Pain Management; Relaxation Therapy; Self Care; Stress, Psychological; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 8820318
DOI: 10.1097/00005082-199604000-00004 -
The American Journal of Hospice &... 1997I hope it has become apparent that the use of Therapeutic Touch can be a useful addition to more conventional hospice treatments. Also, it can be a very rewarding and... (Review)
Review
I hope it has become apparent that the use of Therapeutic Touch can be a useful addition to more conventional hospice treatments. Also, it can be a very rewarding and fulfilling experience for the patient. It has been so for me. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given the opportunity of introducing Therapeutic Touch into the Allegheny Hospice, a program of Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We are still in the early stages of implementation. Currently, we are initiating a research program to accomplish the following with respect to Therapeutic Touch: Demonstrate that Therapeutic Touch does, in fact, yield the same results when performed in a hospice setting as when performed in other settings established by prior research. Establish the degree to which drug levels can be reduced (if any) by the introduction of Therapeutic Touch into the treatment regimen and still maintain an acceptable level of pain control. Demonstrate that the quality of life can be improved for the patients and their families through the use of Therapeutic Touch over the current treatment methods not using Therapeutic Touch. Establish sufficient documentation for respective insurance providers to justify future payment for this treatment. It is envisioned that this program will be accomplished later this year. Our hospice organization is a very dynamic one, dedicated to bringing the best possible care to our patients. In addition to the aforementioned Therapeutic Touch research program, we have just embarked on another research effort to determine the advantages of using a "Low Pressure Air Mattress" to reduce the incidence and severity of skin breakdown. This has the potential to improve the quality of life not only of the patient but also of the care giver. In this day and age when many seem to have severely neglected the sick and elderly, there is a great opportunity for creative, compassionate people to become involved in hospice programs around the country. In so doing, you could render an invaluable service to your fellow, man, and, at the same time, achieve a deep sense of fulfillment. Anyone wishing to become involved in a hospice program or interested in learning Therapeutic Touch may contact me at Allegheny Hospice, a Allegheny Center, 6th floor, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15212.
Topics: Education, Nursing, Continuing; Humans; Nursing Assessment; Terminal Care; Therapeutic Touch
PubMed: 9295408
DOI: 10.1177/104990919701400207