Logo image
Back
The use of healing touch in integrative oncology
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The use of healing touch in integrative oncology

Laura K Hart, Mildred I Freel, Pam J Haylock and Susan K Lutgendorf
Clinical journal of oncology nursing, Vol.15(5), pp.519-525
10/2011
DOI: 10.1188/11.CJON.519-525
PMCID: PMC3907587
PMID: 21951738
url
https://doi.org/10.1188/11.CJON.519-525View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The use of complementary therapies by patients with cancer has become increasingly prevalent; as a result, oncology nurses find themselves needing to understand those therapies and the evidence-based support for their use. This article describes the integrative use of the biofield therapy healing touch in conjunction with the chemoradiation received by patients with cervical cancer (stages IB1 to IVA) as reported in a 2010 research study. Findings indicated effects on the immune response and depression in healing touch recipients compared to patients receiving relaxation or standard care. Specifically, healing touch recipients demonstrated a minimal decrease in natural killer cell cytotoxicity over the course of treatment, whereas the cytotoxicity of patients receiving relaxation therapy and standard care declined sharply during radiation. Healing touch recipients also showed decreases in depressed mood compared to relaxation therapy and standard care recipients. The findings suggest that appropriate integration of complementary modalities into oncology care can enhance the impact of conventional care by putting patients in the best condition to use their innate healing resources.
 Nursing Methodology Research Humans Female Treatment Outcome Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology Combined Modality Therapy Oncology Nursing - methods Chemoradiotherapy Therapeutic Touch - nursing Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - therapy Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Details

Metrics

17 Record Views
21 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image