The surgical significance of therapeutic touch

AORN J. 1999 Feb;69(2):358-69. doi: 10.1016/s0001-2092(06)62493-9.

Abstract

Therapeutic touch (TT) is believed to help promote relaxation, reduce pain, accelerate the healing process, and alleviate psychosomatic illness. Patients who undergo surgery frequently experience stressors such as anxiety and pain. Although there have been limited studies on the use of TT in the surgical arena, it is a stress-reduction method that should be explored further. This article discusses studies that examined the use of TT in reducing anxiety and pain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Consciousness
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management*
  • Perioperative Nursing*
  • Stress, Physiological / etiology
  • Stress, Physiological / therapy*
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / nursing*
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative / psychology
  • Therapeutic Touch / methods
  • Therapeutic Touch / nursing*
  • United States