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Healing Touch International Research List
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Osterlund, H./ Davids, D./ Gima, A./ Verderber, A. HeToBa study at the Queen’s Medical Center, Healing Touch Newsletter: Research Edition 1998, 8(3), 16.
This report describes a quality assurance study on the use of Healing Touch modalities on employees who sustained back injuries on the job at Queen's Medical Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii. "Project Support,” offered Healing Touch to employees with acute back injuries. The findings of this study provided the foundation for conduction of a research study in this population and helped to establish Healing Touch services in the outpatient setting. A follow-up study found no significant differences between those who receive the Healing Touch sessions and those that did not, however, Healing Touch services were integrated into the pain management services of the hospital.
Ostuni, E/ Pietro, MJ. Effects of Healing Touch on Nursing Home Residents in Later Stages of Alzheimer Disease, Paper presented at the 5th Healing Touch International 5th Annual Conference, Denver, CO. January, 2001, (Data based). RES
There are half a million people institutionalized for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in the US and uncounted others cared for privately. While those who may not have had contact with people who have Alzheimer’s might write them off as not needing care because they are not aware of their own conditions, this is a gross misperception. These people suffer from confusion, distress at being unable to care for themselves, fears, pains, and more. Palliative treatments that slow the progress of AD are available, though not very effective. Symptomatic treatments with drugs often diminish quality of life. CAM therapies are welcome because they relieve symptoms without side effects.
“In a pilot study… 10 Healing Touch treatments were administered by a Healing Touch practitioner over 5 weeks’ time (two treatments per week) to five residents of a local long term nursing facility whose primary diagnosis was Alzheimer’s Disease. During this time, and for one week prior, and one week after the treatments, members of the direct care staff rated resident behaviors on a 10-item Functional Behavior Profile twice weekly. The ratings ranged from “5” (best) to “1” (poorest). At the end of the seven weeks, each resident had deteriorated in at least one behavior (an average of 2.8 for the group), but each person had also improved in at least five behavioral areas with a group average of 6.2 behaviors, at a significance level of p=.020.
Twelve clients from the same long-term care facility with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease were selected... They were divided into a treatment and control (non-treatment) group on the basis of staff reports of each client’s approximate stage of progress in the illness. Thus, each group had one “high-mid” client, one “mid” client, three “mid-late” clients and one “late” stage client.
The methodology include observations of 10 behaviors that were rated on a 5-point scale by members of the direct care staff: appetite, sleep, comfort (freedom from pain), orientation, compliance with daily routine, socialization, composure (emotional stability), non-verbal responses, freedom from jargon, and conversational communication. Data was collected on al 12 residents four times before treatments began, twice weekly during treatments, and again four times after treatments were discontinued.
Residents in the treatment group received two Healing Touch treatments per week for five weeks for a total of 10 treatments each. Treatments ranged from 10 to 20 minutes in length. Modalities were selected on the basis of the resident’s physical disposition (lying on bed, sitting in chair with tray, sleeping, walking, etc.), and upon the author’s perception of the resident’s treatment needs in that moment. These were typically, full body connection or an adaptation, chakra spread, magnetic unruffling or therapeutic touch as described in the Healing Touch notebooks…”
Results:
1. “Average improvement in the behavior scores across all 10 behavioral items for the treatment group across five weeks of treatment was significant at the p=.046 level. No improvement was seen in the average behavior scores of the control group. Decline in average behavior scores was noted, but was not significant.
2. Average behavior scores for the item “Composure” (freedom from agitation, extreme restlessness, catastrophic outbursts, bouts of uncontrolled weeping, etc.) improved significantly at the p=.024 level; the average scores of the control group did not change significantly.
3. Average behavior scores for the time “Physical Comfort” (freedom from complaints or non-verbal indications of pain) improved significantly for the treatment group at the p=.005 level; the average scores of the control group did not change significantly.
HT may be a promising complementary treatment for late-stage bedridden residents with dementia for whom so little else can be done. Future research should focus on the effects of HT on residents with dementia and whether direct care staff do in fact, find these patients easier to care for. The effects of HT upon specific events of a resident’s daily routine e.g., easier transition into nursing home living, reduced need for extra medication for anxiety, prior to events that cause some residents to have extra resistance, such as bath time should be investigated. Finally, the effects of HT should be explored as a method for enriching the visits of family members with their loved ones who have dementia; as a way of involving volunteers in care of these residents; and as stress reducing treatments for staff
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Peck, S. Aftermath of the unexpected, unexplained and abrupt termination of Healing Touch and extrapolation of related costs. Complementary Health Review 2007, 12(144), 144-160.
This article identifies what happened when Healing Touch sessions were abruptly terminated for individuals with serious chronic health conditions. Dr. Peck was conducting a study offering Healing Touch when these services were terminated by the agency. During the study all of the 14 individuals involved in the study had reported positive benefits including pain relief, improved functional ability, better sleep, and greater emotional well-being. Healing Touch had been offered to improve quality of life and maintain well-being in order to assist the participants to remain in their homes as long as possible. Out of the 12 participants (2 were not able to communicate adequately) half maintained positive (6) benefits and the other half experienced worsening of their chronic illness. The themes that emerged included emotional distress (for all 6) with a loss of a sense of safety and decrease in self-esteem when sessions were terminated. Four of the six had an increase in pain with one so severe that it impaired her mobility. A cost analysis was then conducted by the author to determine the value of Healing Touch session in preventing falls in a hypothetical situation. The benefits of Healing Touch in this small sample were clear and the termination of the sessions posed an ethical dilemma.
Post-White, J./ Kinney, M.E./ Savik, K./ Gau, J.B./ Wilcox, C./ Lerner, I. Therapeutic massage and Healing Touch improve symptoms in cancer. Integrative Cancer Therapies 2003, 2(4), 332-344.
This research study measured the effects of therapeutic massage and Healing Touch on pain, nausea, fatigue and anxiety in 230 chemotherapy patients in comparison to caring presence alone or standard cancer treatment alone. There was a significant immediate (after individual treatment) and overall (at the end of the four visits) effect for both massage therapy and Healing Touch. Both Healing Touch and massage reduced B/P and heart rate and level of pain in comparison to presence. Healing Touch and massage reduced mood disturbance during the intervention periods, although there were no specific effects on anxiety-tension. Fatigue was less in the Healing Touch period. There were no significant immediate or overall effects on nausea with massage or Healing Touch. Participants rated both interventions highly regarding overall helpfulness and satisfaction.
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Rexilius, S.J./ Mundt, C.A./ Megel, M.E./ Agrawal, S. Therapeutic effects of massage therapy and Healing Touch on caregivers of patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Oncology Nursing Forum 2002, 29(3), 1-14.
The purpose of this research study was to examine the effect of massage therapy and Healing Touch on anxiety, depression, subjective caregiver burden, and fatigue experienced by caregivers of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients with 26 caregivers. The caregivers in the control group received usual nursing care and a ten-minute supportive visit from one of the researchers and caregivers in the treatment groups received two 30-minute massages or Healing Touch treatments per week for three weeks. Anxiety and depression scores decreased for the Healing Touch group but did not achieve statistical significance. Fatigue scores increased. In the post-study questionnaire most of the Healing Touch group found the treatments very relaxing and provided a time when they could focus on themselves and not worry about their family member.
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Scandrett-Hibdon, S./ Hardy, C./ Mentgen, J. Energetic patterns: Healing Touch case studies. Lakewood, CO: Colorado Center for Healing Touch 1999.
Energetic pattern trends across six are presented for breast cancer, back pain, HIV Aids, multiple scerolosis, high-risk pregnancy and primary care. Interventions by practitioners were evaluated for efficacy with each condition. This project provides an initial “map the field” so that energetic configurations can be verified by in more controlled studies.
Seskevich, J.E./ Crater, S.W./ Lane, J.D./ Krucof, M.W. Beneficial effects of noetic therapies on mood before percutaneous intervention for unstable coronary syndromes. Nursing Research 2004. Mar-Apr, 53(2), p.116-21.
This is a research study report that utilized data collected during The MANTA study listed by Dr. Krucoff. It is published in a journal of high importance in the professional nursing community. This study further explored for the effects of the noetic therapies on mood. One hundred and fifty patients were randomized to stress management, imagery, touch therapy, prayer and standard care immediately before cardiac intervention. The touch therapy was a technique used in Healing Touch called the chakra connection. Mood was assessed before and after treatment. The analysis showed that stress management, imagery and Healing Touch all produced reductions in reported worry as compared with standard therapy and that prayer had no effect. Additionally, Healing Touch significantly increased satisfaction. Although not significant there was a decrease in upsetness, sadness, and shortness of breath and an increase in calmness, hope and happiness in the Healing Touch group. Healing Touch had more significant indicators than guided imagery, stress management or standard care. The authors also found that using noetic therapies in the hectic environment of the coronary intensive care unit was feasible.
Sierpina, V.S./ Kreitzer, M.J. Innovations in integrative health care education. Explore 2005, 1(3), 220-221.
This article reviews two medical programs that integrate complementary therapies into their curriculum. The first that is described is the University of Arizona that has both a family medicine fellowship program and a distance learning associate fellowship. A description is provided of the model used. The next program described is an education project at Wak Forest University School of Medicine that is teaching about Therapeutic and Healing Touch. A brief description is provided of the program and the results from a questionnaire used to assess students learning about healing work is included. It is reported that the students were very eager to learn the material although the long term impact was unknown.
Silva, M.A.C. The effects of relaxation touch on the recovery level of post-anesthesia abdominal hysterectomy patients. [Abstract.] Alternative Therapies 1996, (2) 4.
This study evaluated the effects of Healing Touch on the amount of narcotic analgesic self-administered postoperatively, the frequency of bowel program treatments and medications administered to patients with abdominal hysterectomies. Sixty preoperative patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Healing Touch, back massage, and no treatment. The results indicated that the Healing Touch subjects had a significantly higher level of recovery than the two controls on lung, gastro-intestinal, and activity status. Reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate were statistically significant for the Healing Touch group and the amount of narcotic analgesia and bowel treatments were less in this group as well.
Slater, V. Human holistic and energetic responses following a tornado. Journal of Holistic Nursing 2004, 22(1), 85-92.
Dr. Vicki Slater explores the results of a variety of her clients after having lived through the experience of having a tornado create destruction in their community. Energy patterns are described in which the clients seem to have lost their “ground” and specific Healing Touch and energy base interventions are applied in order to facilitate the survivors healing.
Sood, A./ Barton, D./ Bauer, B./ Loprinzi, C.L. A critical reviw of complementary therapies for cancer-related fatigue. Integrative Cancer Therapies 2007, 6(1), 8-13.
This article is written by a physician from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and includes a review of 389 articles from which 21 clinical trails were selected for analysis. A number of therapies are included in the review such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, energy conservation, hypnosis, massage, mindfulness-based stress reduction, relaxation and others. Healing Touch is identified as one of the modalities. The study reviewed was reported as indicating that Healing Touch was associated with improved fatigue, total mood disturbance, and pain ratings. The final recommendations of these authors was that more research was needed utilizing more rigorous designs.
Speel, L. A pilot study on the effect of Healing Touch-Mind clearing and magnetic unruffling on high school students with mental and physical disabilities, Healing Touch International, Research Survey, Lakewood, CO: Healing Touch International, Inc. 2003. (Data based). RES
This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of Healing Touch modalities on students with extreme to moderate physical and emotional conditions. It was done in a classroom of a small high school special day class comprised of students with various disabilities. Three students participated regularly, whereas the other students only occasionally agreed to this treatment. The subjects were asked to describe any experiences during the sessions and how they felt afterwards. Some of the students could not verbally respond, so visual assessment was employed or the teacher or aide would comment. One of the subjects was usually eager for the session and was relaxed or calm afterwards. For another subject Healing Touch produced a calming effect usually stopping his grimacing and spasms entirely in 30 out of 35 sessions and helped him achieve greater extension with his range of motion exercises. Subject 3 would experience cessation of spasms and said she enjoyed it and it made her feel healthy. Subject 4 had relief of headache symptoms and relaxation.
Stouffer, D. A Healing Touch approach to scar integration. Healing Touch Newsletter 1998, 8(3).
In this newsletter article Dr. Stouffer, an engineer, describes how wound healing occurs. He observed that a scar can act like a battery and develop a 1.5 volt differential across the scar tissue. This in turn, can send a tiny voltage throughout the body and produce pain and many other physical dysfunctions. Dr. Stouffer goes on to describe how his experience of working with wounds using Healing Touch heals by neutralizing the electrical properties of scar tissue.
Stouffer, D/ Kaiser, D/ Stouffer, J. Effect of aspartame on the human energy field, paper presented at the Third Annual Healing Touch International Conference, Denver, CO, 1999. (Data based). MAR
Healing Touch assessment techniques were used to measure the effect of carbonated beverages with and without aspartame on the solar plexus and sacral chakras of 50 healthy people. Initially the chakras were open. After consumption of a carbonated beverage with regular sweetening about 1/3 were open, 1/3 blocked and 1/3 closed. After consumption aspartame sweetened beverage approximately 1/3 were blocked and 2/3 were closed. They noted a possible explanation as due to carbon dioxide, a human waste product and the menthol in aspartame decomposes into formaldehyde
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Taylor, B. The effects of Healing Touch on the coping ability, self-esteem and general health of undergraduate nursing students. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, February 2201, 34-42.
This research study reported on 51 participants who were students in a school of nursing in Australia. There was no effect of Healing Touch on the coping ability, self-esteem and general health of first year students, but there were significant effects for the third year students in the experimental group. The qualitative findings showed that all participants in the experimental group found the experience positive and reported feeling relaxed, good, better able to study and think, more open-minded; noticed positive changes in sleeping patterns; and were in less of a hurry. A tentative conclusion was drawn by the author that Healing Touch is effective.
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Van Aken, R. Emerging from depression: The experiential process of Healing Touch, Paper presented at the 7th Annual Healing Touch International Conference, Colorado Springs, January 2003. (Data based). QAL
The study provides information about the experience of 17 participants with moderate depression in addition to providing a middle range theory about the process. The grounded theory analysis has uncovered the basic psychosocial problem, the states of the process of emergence from depression and the strategies used within that process. The study aimed to explore and analyze the experiential process of Healing Touch for people with moderate depression. It showed the integral aspects of care and the benefits of using Healing Touch from multiple perspectives.
Verret, P. Healing Touch as a relaxation intervention in children with spasticity. Healing Touch Newsletter 2000, 0(3), 6-7.
The purpose of this rsearch study was to implement an intervention that was intended to promote relaxation in children with spasticity, and to describe the effects of the intervention on gross motor functioning. Three 6 to 7-year-old elementary students diagnosed with mild to moderate spasticity in at least one of the lower limbs were included. For Case Study 1, change was evident in weight gain of 2 pounds, increased range of motion, decreased muscle tone, and improvement in three gross motor skill subcategories. For Case Study 2, change was apparent in weight gain of 2.5 pounds, increased range of motion, and improvement in three skill subcategories. Case Study 3 demonstrated behavioral change with an increased range of motion and enrichment in one motor skill subcategory. The mothers' comments included: a more relaxed, cooperative, calm child; tremors in forearms and hands dissipated; more light-hearted, open, tolerant, less impulsive; more coordinated movements; eating and sleeping better; and more task-oriented.
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Wang, K./ Hermann, C. Pilot study to test the effectiveness of Healing Touch on agitation levels in people with dementia. Geriatric Nursing 2006, 27(1), 34-40.
This research study investigated the effects of Healing Touch on agitation levels in people with dementia in the Prescott Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Special Care Unit. Two Healing Touch interventions, unruffling (magnetic clearing) and modified mind clearance. Significant decreases in the occurrence of agitated behaviors were noted in all intervention subjects. Psychotropic medication use was also noted to have decreased during the intervention phase. Physiologic changes noted upon completion of each session were decreased muscle tension, relaxed breathing and a shift to a more peaceful demeanor. Additionally, participants verbalized the calming effects that the Healing Touch interventions provided them.
Wardell, D./ Rintala, D./ Tan, G./ Duan, Z. Pilot study of Healing Touch and progressive relaxation for chronic neuropathic pain in persons with spinal cord injury. Journal or Holistic Nursing 2006, 24(4), 231-240.
In this research study, twelve veterans were assigned to either Healing Touch or guided muscle relaxation for six weekly home visits. The findings were varied with some of the veterans experiencing pain relief, some attributed pain relief to other sources and some had no changes in their pain. Those in the Healing Touch group reported a wider range of experiences than those in the control group. The conclusions of the authors is that Healing Touch sessions may benefit veterans with traumatic spinal cord injuries in their complex experience to chronic pain.
Wardell, D.W. / Engebretson, J. Taxonomy of the spiritual experience. Journal of Religion and Health 2006, 45(2), 215-233.
In this research study Healing Touch practitioners provided information about their most meaningful spiritual experiences. From these experiences of over 400 individuals a taxonomy was developed that included how the experience was contextualized. It included the circumstances, manifestation and interpretation of the experience. Circumstances included the aspects of setting, situation, and timing. Manifestation incorporated the modes of awareness and the phenomena of the experience. Components of interpretation included personal meaning and congruence with social norms. The experiences were often profound creating a new sense of the world and providing for a sense of connection. The experiences were also varied and many occurred during a Healing Touch class or while receiving a Healing Touch session.
Wardell, D.W./ Weymouth, K. Review of studies of Healing Touch. Journal of Nursing Scholarship: Image 2004, 36(2), 147-154.
A review of studies in Healing Touch was provided in this article in a scholarly nursing professional journal. The review included published and unpublished studies that used a quantitative design. Thirty-two studies were included under a variety of topics including pain, cancer care, immune functioning, cardiovascular disease, the elderly, and mental health. An evidence table is provided. The conclusions drawn from this review were that there is beginning evidence to support the safety and efficacy of Healing Touch therapy in reducing stress, anxiety and pain; accelerated healing, some improvement in biochemical and physiologic markers, and a greater sense of well-being. There was reports of improved quality of life physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. However, more research is needed in order to make a conclusive statement about the findings.
Wardell, D.W. Spirituality of healing touch participants. Journal of Holistic Nursing 2001, 19(1), 71-86.
A study of over 400 individuals involved in Healing Touch training was undertaken to determine if there was any difference in perception of their spirituality. The study reviewed differences between the levels of training in relation to the measures of spirituality. There was no difference between the nurses and non-nurses on the spiritual scales used. There was a significant difference between the six levels of training in Healing Touch classes completed by the participants with the upper level participants in classes having higher spirituality scores than those in the lower levels.
Wardell, D.W./ Engebretson, J.C. Ethical principles applied to complementary healing. Journal of Holistic Nursing 2001, 19(4), 318-34; CEU offering 335-9.
This study explores the ethical approaches and underlying principles in the expectations of three organizations espousing holistic healing and touch therapies (The American Holistic Nurses Association, Healing Touch International, Inc., and Reiki Touch). All groups gave attention to the constructs of non-maleficence, beneficence and autonomy, with a strong emphasis on virtue ethics. The shift in the expression of the principles of paternalism and client agency allowed the healers to employ the therapeutic effects of placebo, suggestion, optimism, hope, and surrender with the avoidance of noicebo effects.
Wardell, D.W. The trauma release technique: How it is taught and experienced in Healing Touch. Alternative and Complementary Therapies 2000, 6(1), 20-27.
This research study surveyed students in an advanced practice class in Healing Touch. Trauma release is an advanced Healing Touch technique used for assisting individuals to heal from chronic residual pain and is especially applicable when traditional therapies have been unsuccessful. A qualitative study of the teaching done and experiences of participants within this seminar series provides insight into how the technique is used and its benefits. The participants reported release of physical and emotional aspects of the trauma, the creation of a sense of balance, and a sense of change. Of the 12 participants queried one to two months later most experienced a decrease or absence of their pain symptoms and none a worsening of symptoms.
Wardell, D.W. White shadow: Walking with Janet Mentgen. Lakewood, CO: Colorado Center for Healing Touch 2001.
This book provides an in-depth observation of a master teacher, Janet Mentgen, the founder of Healing Touch. It is a biographical narrative, telling the story of the author as she begins her in-depth journey on the path as a healer. The story is set during the authors sabbatical and includes interviews and classroom experiences with Janet. Her words and actions provide the foundation for much of the story and help the reader recognize their own and unique process. Janet was found to open the pages of this book and laugh out right and the memories and stories that are chronicled in the book.
Wardell, D.W. Unfolding transpersonal caring-healing through story. International Journal of Human Caring 2001, 6(1), 16-24.
The author uses the elements of the nurse theorist, Jean Watson, to explore the experience that a group of instructor had while teaching in Romania shortly before the Kosovo war. The stark reality of poverty and ruin contrasts with the human elements of hope and belief. The classes are highlighted and lessons learned from an international perspective. A section of the article also tells about their experiences in working with Healing Touch at a local orphanage in which children and staff readily embrace the work. There is a poignant mixture of sadness and loss with beauty and truth in this article.
Welcher, B./ Kish, J. Reducing pain and anxiety through Healing Touch. Healing Touch Newsletter 2001, 01(3), 19.
This research study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of a Healing Touch intervention with 138 hospital in-patients. The patients were both male and female with a variety of diagnoses and ranged in age from 18 to 94 years old. After the Healing Touch treatment, the practitioner gave a questionnaire requesting that the patients assess their level of pain and anxiety before the treatment and then assess their present level of pain and anxiety after the treatment using a scale of 1 to 10. Healing Touch was found to significantly reduced both pain and anxiety in this study of hospitalized patients.
Wetzel, W. Healing Touch as a nursing intervention: Wound infection following cesarean birth: An anecdotal case study. Journal of Holistic Nursing 1993, 11(3), 277-285.
This is a case study research report that documents the progress of a patient with a significant wound infection as a consequence of cesarean birth. Along with standard medical care, the patient received Healing Touch treatments. This anecdotal study chronicled how Healing Touch, when used in conjunction with traditional medical care, has the potential to increase the rate of wound healing.
Weymouth, K./ Sandberg-Lewis, S. Comparing the efficacy of Healing Touch and chiropractic adjustment in treating chronic low back pain: A pilot study. Healing Touch Newsletter 2000, 00(3), 7-8.
This research study explored the effectiveness of both Healing Touch and chiropractic treatment in treating chronic low back pain. Twenty people were enrolled and eight Healing Touch treatments were given to each of the ten participants in the Healing Touch group. Each participant experienced some degree of improvement as a result of the treatments from minimal to dramatic. Healing Touch and chiropractic groups had significant decreases in pain, improvement in range of motion, and improvement in orthopedic measurements. There was no difference between Healing Touch and chiropractic in the decrease of pain, range of motion and orthopedic tests. The chiropractic group had increased improvement in quality of life. The conclusions drawn from the study were that Healing Touch stood up well as a treatment modality for chronic low back pain, especially considering the large difference in the length of time of pain was suffered between the Healing Touch and chiropractic groups. Second, it appears likely that for a percentage of chronic low back pain sufferers a combination of treatments would be more beneficial than a single type of treatment.
Wilkinson, D./ Knox, P./ Chatman, J./ Johnson, T./ Barbour, N./ Myles, Y./ Reel, A. The clinical effectiveness of Healing Touch. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2002, 8(1), 33-47.
The objective of this research study was to determine the clinical effectiveness of Healing Touch on indicators of health enhancement and to determine whether practitioner-training level moderated treatment effectiveness. Twenty-two participants received either no treatment, a standard Healing Touch session or standard Healing Touch plus music and guided imagery session. Clients reported a significant reduction in stress level after both Healing Touch conditions. Pain relief was reported by six of the eleven participants experiencing pain. The results indicated practitioners with more training had clients that experienced significant positive immune function change over the Healing Touch treatment series, while clients of practitioners with less experience did not.
Wilson, D.J. Quality care: Tampa Bay’s medical breakthroughs and advancements. Tampa Bay Metro Aug/Sept 2004, 3(4), 47-53.
This short article depicts Kimberly Garcia, a nurse and Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, offering Healing Touch as part of a study. The article reports that Healing Touch is a compassionate way to manage pain and other problems. One of the outcomes is greater patient satisfaction with care.
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Ziembroski, J./ Gilbert, N./ Bossarte, R./ Guldberg, G. Healing Touch and Hospice Care: Examining outcomes at the end of life. Alternative & Complementary Therapies 2003, 9(3), 146-151.
In this research study, 55 participants from the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care of St Joseph, Marshall, and Elkhart counties in Indiana. Participants were andomized to a Healing Touch group (session offered in their homes) or standard care. Specific outcomes monitored during the study were 1) quality of life, 2) physical symptoms, and 3) spiritual meaning. The results showed improvement in the Healing Touch group with decrease in physical symptoms and less change in physical functioning over time as compared to worsening in the control group. Those in the Healing Touch group showed no change in interpersonal relationships whereas the standard group showed slightly more difficulty. The transcendent and well being domains were more improved in the standard group. The Healing Touch group reported increased relaxation, increased relief of pain, spiritual benefit, increased calmness and improved breathing.
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