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Stress has both positive and negative affects on the human system.
A certain amount of stress is needed to encourage change and to move
one forward with daily challenges. However, prolonged stress creates
a “wearing down” of the body’s defenses.(1) This can
lead to changes in immune function that increases the risk of illness
and delays the way the body heals. A self-destructive pattern to events
or triggers used to activates the body’s natural protective mechanisms
results.
Healing Touch has been used in a variety of studies that used reducing
stress as a measure of effectiveness. Many of these studies were done
on students as they are reportedly situated in a high stress environment
by the nature of constant evaluation (tests and grades).(2),(3),(4),(5)
Healing Touch was found to have a positive effect on reducing stress
in this group, although it was not always significant.
In individuals that are experiencing stressful events like invasive
medical procedures or treatment for severe diseases Healing Touch has
also been found to reduce the levels of stress.(6),(7),(8),(9),(10)
In one study that looked at individuals with a chronic disease some
of the participants also reported a decrease in their stress with weekly
Healing Touch sessions.(11)
One of the common reports after receiving a Healing Touch session is
one of deep relaxation and a sense of peacefulness. This has been reported
in a number of patient satisfaction surveys and in practice by both
practitioners and their clients. In our stressful lives having the opportunity
to come to a place of peace and rest is beneficial. Some of those receiving
a healing report that it feels like experiencing a deep meditation without
the training and effort.
Below are citations of studies mentioned above.
More on studies about stress.
- Retrieved (January 9, 2008) from http://www.macses.ucsf.edu/Research/Allostatic/notebook/allostatic.html
- Baldwin, C. (2002). The effects of Healing Touch on stress in college
students. Unpublished master’s thesis, West Chester University,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Bowen, J. & Maville, J.A. (2007).The Effect of Healing Touch on
stress perception and biological correlates of stress in university
students, unpublished manuscript.
- Dowd, T., Kolcaba, K, Steiner, R. & Fashinpaur, D. (2007). Comparison
of a Healing Touch, coaching, and a combined intervention on comfort
and stress in younger college students. Holistic Nursing Practice, 21(4),
194-202.
- Taylor, B. (2001). The effects of Healing Touch on the coping ability,
self-esteem and general health of undergraduate nursing students. Complementary
Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, February, 34-42.
- Danhauer, S., Levitan, D., Larrimore, D., Carroll, S., & Tooze,
J. (2007). Healing Touch as a Supportive Intervention for Adult Acute
Leukemia Patients: A Pilot Study (abstract). Healing Touch International
Research Survey 2006. Supplement. Lakewood, CO: Healing Touch International,
Inc.
- Turner, K. (2007). Preliminary Data Analysis of the Healing Partners
Program. Healing Touch International Research Survey 2006. Supplement.
Lakewood, CO: Healing Touch International, Inc.
- Krucoff, M.W., Crater, S.W., Green, C.L., Massa, A.C., Seskevich,
J.E., Lane, J.D., Loeffler, K.A., Morris, K., Mashore, T.M., & Koenig,
G. (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(5), 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.
- 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.
- Diner, D. (2001). Healing Touch Newsletter, Research Edition, 01(3),
p. 7-8.
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Healing Touch International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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