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The response of the human body to surgery can be varied and affect
many of its systems from a physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
perspective. Stress related to fear of the outcome or recovery can slow
recovery and is addressed in another section on Reducing Stress. The
body uses pain as a way to recognize that an injury has occurred and
in this case a surgical incision and either removal or addition (in
the case of joint replacement) is the trigger event. Healing Touch’s
effect on pain is addressed in the on Decreasing Pain. Recovery is often
reflected in a variety of ways including the lack of complications,
use of medication, time to discharge, and other factors. Some of the
studies that reflect this process will be addressed here.
In one study with patients undergoing abdominal surgery there was a
significantly higher level of recovery, lung, gastrointestinal, and
activity status in additional to greater relaxation (1). The amount
of narcotic pain medication and bowel treatments were also less. Healing
Touch has been used prior to cardiac angioplasty with a reduction in
adverse outcomes (2). In a follow up study, mortality at 6 months was
lower with the combined Healing Touch, music, and imagery group, although
this might have been due to other factors not associated with the intervention
(3). In another study patients had shorter hospital stays with having
coronary artery bypass surgery (4). Using Healing Touch before surgery
was found to significantly decreased worry and increase satisfaction
in another study (5). The Healing Touch group also showed a decrease
in upsetness, sadness, and shortness of breath; and an increase in calmness,
hope and happiness.
Patient satisfaction surveys in acute care setting also show benefits
to receiving Healing Touch. At Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa
Bay Florida a survey in 2004 found that Healing Touch significantly
decreased pain, anxiety, and nausea and also increased patient satisfaction
(6). Those using the services most frequently were patients having surgical
repair for orthopedic problems although a variety of other patients
also participated. Another survey was conducted at Bethesda North Hospital
in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2004 (7). This hospital has had a Healing Touch
program in place for the past ten years with more than fifty individual
practitioners providing services. Patients request Healing Touch through
the volunteer office, are recommended for treatment by nurses, doctors,
or other family members or are approached by a volunteer. Both pain
and anxiety levels were found to be significantly reduced after a Healing
Touch treatment. Some typical comments made on this survey were “Less
pain in my knee”, ‘Felt more tranquil”, and “Relaxed,
ready to sleep”.
Healing Touch is being used in many hospitals across the country. Patients
can request a Healing Touch session if Healing Touch is part of the
hospital services or they may bring in their own practitioner. For a
list of Certified Practitioners please visit our Worldwide Healing Touch
Directory on this website.
Below are citations of studies mentioned above. More on studies on
recovery from surgery.
- Silva, C. (1996). The Effects of Relaxation Touch on the Recovery
Level of Postanesthesia Abdominal Hysterectomy Patients. Abstract. Alternative
Therapies, Vol. 2, No. 4.2.Krucoff, M., Crater, S., Green, C., Mass,
A., Seskevich, J., Lane, J., Loeffler, K., Morris, K., Bashore, T.,
& Koenig, H. (2001). Integrative noetic therapies as adjuncts to
percutaneous intervention during unstable coronary syndromes: Monitoring
and actualization of noetic training (MANTRA) feasibility pilot. American
Heart Journal, 142, 760-7.
- Krucoff, MW., Crater, S., Gallup, D., Blankenship,
J., Cuffe, M., Guarneri, M., Kreiger, R., Kshettry, V., Morris, K.,
Oz, M., Pichard, A., Sketch, M., Kownig, H., Mark, D., & Lee, K.
(2005). Music, Imagery, Touch and Prayer as Adjuncts to Interventional
Cardiac Care : The Monitoring and Acutalization of Noetic Trainings
(MANTRA) II Randomized Study. Lancet, 366, 211-217.
- Norby, P. (2002).
Healing Touch yields results. www.thecatholicspirit.com/archives.php?articles=505.
Study title: The Efficacy of Healing Touch in Coronary Artery Bypass
Surgery: a Randomized Clinical Trial. Investigators: MacIntyre, Hamilton,
Fricke, Ma, Mehl, and Michel
- Seskevich, J.E., Crater, S.W., Lane, J.D.
& Krucoff, M.W. (2004). Beneficial effects of noetic therapies on
mood before percutaneous intervention for unstable coronary symptoms.
Nursing Research, 53(2), p. 116-121.
- Garcia, K. (2006). Healing Touch
Program survey at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Healing Touch International,
Inc. Research Survey, 8th Ed. Lakewood, CO.
- Stoufeer, J. (2006). Healing
Touch Patient Survey for Pain and/or Anxiety Relief. Healing Touch International,
Inc. Research Survey, 8th Ed. Lakewood, CO
© 1996-2012
Healing Touch International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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