Therapeutic Touch for Psychological Disorders - Therapeutic Touch for Treatment of Anxiety

Evidence

Scientists have studied therapeutic touch for the following health problems:

Pain
Several studies suggest that therapeutic touch may reduce pain and improve mobility in patients with osteoarthritis, may decrease pain and anxiety in burn patients and may improve chronic musculoskeletal pain in elderly patients. One study reported a reduced need for pain-relieving drugs after surgery, although overall pain was not reduced. This early research is suggestive. However, most studies have been poor quality, and clear comparisons have not been made with standard pain treatments such as pain-relieving drugs. Most studies have compared therapeutic touch with no therapy or with false (placebo) therapeutic touch. Further study is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Anxiety
Because of conflicting results of different studies, it is currently unclear if therapeutic touch is useful in the treatment of anxiety. A number of trials have reported benefits, whereas others have found no effects. Most studies have been poorly designed. Scientific analyses taking into account these different studies have not provided clear answers. Better research is necessary before a recommendation can be made.

Psychiatric disorders
There is preliminary evidence that therapeutic touch may help to relax premature infants, reduce anxiety in children with life-threatening illnesses, reduce anxiety in chemically dependent pregnant women, reduce stress and anxiety in the work place, and reduce stress in teen-agers with psychiatric disease. Further study is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Alzheimer's dementia
There is early evidence that therapeutic touch may reduce behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as searching and wandering, tapping and banging, vocalization, anxiety, pacing and agitation. However, larger well-designed studies are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Headache
A single study reports that therapeutic touch may reduce pain associated with tension headache. However, further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Well-being in cancer patients
A single study suggests that therapeutic touch may improve well-being in patients with advanced cancer. Pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue have been reported as improved in patients receiving therapeutic massage and healing touch. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Wound healing
Results of the few studies of therapeutic touch for wound healing are mixed, with some reporting improvements, and others showing no effects. Most research has been conducted by the same author. It remains unclear if therapeutic touch has any benefits in wound healing.

Diabetes
One study reports that therapeutic touch does not have significant effects on blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

Fibromyalgia
Preliminary research suggests therapeutic touch may be an effective treatment option in relieving pain in patients with fibromyalgia. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Unproven Uses

Therapeutic touch has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially life-threatening. Consult with a health care provider before using therapeutic touch for any use.

Arthritis Bone fractures Bone healing Cardiovascular disease Carpal tunnel syndrome Childbirth preparation Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression and acute grief reaction Dystonia (muscle spasm) Epilepsy

High blood pressure Improved flow of breast milk Multiple sclerosis Parkinson's disease Phantom limb pain Rehabilitation Sarcoidosis Sinusitis Sleep enhancement Well-being during pregnancy

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