Source
University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, School of Nursing, 1100 Holcombe Blvd. 5th Floor, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Diane.Wardell@uth.tmc.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To review studies of healing touch and its implications for practice and research.
DESIGN:
A review of the literature from published works, abstracts from conference proceedings, theses, and dissertations was conducted to synthesize information on healing touch. Works available until June 2003 were referenced.
METHODS:
The studies were categorized by target of interventions and outcomes were evaluated.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Over 30 studies have been conducted with healing touch as the independent variable. Although no generalizable results were found, a foundation exists for further research to test its benefits.