Abstract
The medical profession in recent years has been on the forefront in making sure that the care given to patients is in line with the conventional methodologies of health care. Additionally, the care given to the patients must aim at improving the well-being of the patients without putting the lives of these patients in danger. Moreover, the care given apart from being scientifically sound, it has to be ethical and legal. However, other alternative techniques have proved to be useful in taking care of different ailments affecting patients. These complimentary methods not only aim at healing a patient but improve the quality of life of the client after recovering from a certain illness. Healing touch is one of the alternative methods useful in addressing problems affecting patients mostly in the acute care setting. Therefore, this paper will analyze contributions of this technique on the care provision process, the procedure that is followed in carrying out this technique and credentials that are required for one to qualify to provide healing touch care in acute care unit. Additionally, the paper will incorporate assessment of various studies that have been done to ascertain the effectiveness of this technique and the ethical issues related to it.
Part 1
Nurses have the mandate of ensuring the care given to patients takes into account patients’ specific needs. Essentially, to achieve total optimal positive outcomes, requires of the patients have to be effectively addressed. Total satisfaction of patients ought to be the sole goal of nurses as they discharge their duty. Therefore, this calls for employment of all techniques apart from the conventional nursing practices that may be helpful in restoring the health of an individual (Healing Touch Program, 2014). The complimentary techniques are the notable alternative methods which are employed in the nursing care outside mainstream medicine (Healing Touch Program, 2014). They serve the purpose of providing clinical care to patients without employing science oriented processes.
This measure focuses its energy on well-being and healing of a patient. It is an energy procedure in which health practitioners use their hands in a conscious manner with the objectives of facilitating physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. The center of attention is on using the gift of touch in influencing the human energy systems specifically the energy fields which surround the body. These energy fields are concerned with controlling physical movement of human body. This practice is focused on clearing, energizing and balancing the environmental sphere and human fields with the intentions of altering the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental health of an individual (Healing Touch Program, 2014). The desire of this method is on having a caring relationship between the doctor and the client with the intentions of coming together in a manner that will facilitate the therapeutic of the patient and achieve patient's maximum health. Additionally, technique aims at the restoration, harmonize and balancing the energy system which translates to the patient being able to self-heal.
The functioning of this technique is based on a relationship of quantum physics and holistic nursing. Results that can be used to depict the exact ways in which these techniques relate have not been proven yet. However, there is strong evidence that there are some processes occurring under the skin of a patient from the healing touch. Theorists have been at the forefront of developing practices that are helpful in correcting any defects in the energy field with the intentions of facilitating the healing of the mind, body and spirit. These methods focus on the removal of energy congestion from the patient’s energy fields. In the event that these fields have been cleared of the imbalances, they resort to their functions of creating integration between the mind, body, and soul which consequently translates to the restoration of health and promoting healing process (Wardell et al., 2012).
Additionally, this technique is important in the prevention of future ailments through the restoration of the energy fields. If left unchecked, instances of illnesses are bound to arise. Since method takes into account an analysis of the whole human body, it, therefore, means that it is a complimentary practice to psychotherapy, counseling, and massage therapy. It is also useful in spiritual nursing with the intention of ensuring that the patient achieves the benefits of holistic care.
The most notable area where this practice is employed is in oncology nursing which places a lot of focus in solving the problems of persons suffering from cancer. The use of this procedure has been effective in reducing the side effects that come along with cancer treatment. The technique is useful in lowering the respiratory rate, blood pressure, the heart rate, fatigue, anxiety and generally decreases the overall levels of mood disturbance.
Part 2
Healing touch is not a nursing specialty. However, it has been endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association. The individuals who qualify to go through this certification process include; physicians, nurses, counselor, psychotherapists, body therapists, hospice personnel, spiritual leaders and the clergy. For one to practice this method, he/she will have to undertake a certification program that is provided by the Healing Touch program of the United States. The program is multi-layered in that it moves from the basic level to the advanced level (Healing Touch Program, 2013). This program involves the application of practice in the energetic realm through the application of scientifically supported techniques. These techniques support the conventional methods of care provision. This course runs for 6 levels of 16 hours each. On completing this syllabus, the Healing Touch Certification Board administers the person with a license which acknowledges that they have completed the course and are competent enough to perform healing touch techniques.
Part 3
Several studies have been carried with the intentions of having a clear understanding of the effectiveness of this practice.
A study done by the Healing Touch Program on the effects of healing touch on the sleep patterns of pediatric burn patients was conducted with the objective of ascertaining whether the technique has the effects of improving the quality and quantity of sleep in children who are under the rehabilitative phase of recovery from the effects of burns. This study involved the use of polysomnographic recordings which were targeted at assessing the sleeping pattern of these children. The procedure involved applying the hands of the practitioner above the clothing of the children for 45 minutes every night. The sleep time and the amount of time spent in the sleeping stage were compared using the Spearman’s Rank Correlation test taking into consideration the nights that the method was used. An additional test was utilized to make observations on the sleep activity with the intentions of determining the amount of time that children spent during their different sleeping phases. The comparison in this phase of the study employed the use of a paired t-test. Results from this study indicated that from a sample size that included children with average age between 1.9 years and 15.9 years, all children had a feeling of relaxation during the healing touch sessions (Healing Touch Program, 2014). Additionally, from data analysis, it was established that the total sleep time was enhanced by 330 to 391 minutes. The nights Healing touch was used, there were very minimal awakenings by the participants of the study. This study established undergoing treatment for post burn effects, the application of healing touch is an important factor in improving the total sleeping patterns for such patients. Additionally, the sleep latency levels were considerably reduced when the technique was incorporated in the healing process. Therefore, according to this study, method is an important technique in restoring sleeping patterns of pediatric patients in their rehabilitative phases since it boosts their levels of quantitative and qualitative night time sleeping (Healing Touch Program, 2014). This study has served the purpose of scientifically proving that the incorporation of energy medicine is helpful in the treatment of sleep disorders.
Another study with the title The preservation of immune function in cervical cancer patients during chemoradiation using a Novel Integration Approach was conducted with the aim of addressing the side effects patients with cervical cancer are likely to be faced with as they receive treatment. The notable side effects to a patient recovering from this disease include; immunosuppression and distress. The methodology involved applying randomized controlled tests whose main focus was on improving the quality of life, mood, supporting cellular immunity, and achieving a reduction in the levels of toxins that are associated with a delay in the treatment of persons with cervical cancer under chemoradiation. The sample size was composed of 60 women whose levels of cervical cancer were between IB1 and IVA. These women were subjected to healing touch process therapy for the 6 weeks that they were under chemoradiation treatment. These patients were given assessments in regards to their psychological improvements and the blood sampling at week 4 and week 6 of the chemoradiation treatment (Lutgendorf, 2010). This study employed the use of multilevel regression in the data analysis process with the intentions of checking the changes that were occurring over time. The results indicated that the application of the healing touch during the cervical treatment process resulted in a decrease in the levels of the natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) in the course of treatment. Additionally, the two indicators of depressions used in the study which included the POMS depression scale and CESD depressed mood scale showed considerable decreases in the levels of depression in the cervical cancer patients. This study established that the technique may have minimal or no effects on toxicity levels, fatigue and treatment delays. As such, Healing touch is a vital technique in reducing depression, mood swings and boosting the levels of cellular immunity. The study has proven that the application of this technique as a complementary method is very crucial in healing the ‘mind’ in the administration of holistic nursing care. Consequently, this method has proved to be effective in solving part of patients’ problems especially cancer patients who are receiving chemoradiation treatment.
The study entitled Effects of Healing Touch on Postsurgical Adult Outpatients was done with the intentions of establishing whether the application of healing technique has got any effects on anxiety, pain, blood pressure and the respiratory rates in adults who are recovering from surgery (Foley, et al., 2015). The study employed a randomized controlled test whereby the participants were either in a control or in an intervention group. Participants who were involved in the intervention group were given both healing treatment and traditional nursing care while those ones in the control group were only subjected to traditional nursing care alone (Foley, et al., 2015). The study methodology involved taking measurements in regards to pain levels, pulse rate, blood pressure and anxiety levels of the participants. The results indicated that the intensity of anxiety in the intervention group reduced considerably by up to 55% while in the control group, the levels of anxiety reduction stood at 25%. In terms of the levels of pain, results in the intervention group showed that the pain levels reduced close to 100% while in the control group the levels stood at 64%. Additionally, the patients to whom healing touch was used, their prevalence rates in using pain relieving drugs was less compared to the participants in the control group. As such, this study proved that applying touch practice in the management of post-operative adult patients has been effective in addressing the issue of raising anxiety levels, in addition to pain reduction which eventually translated to lesser levels of narcotics being used by patients. Therefore, healing touch is a significant practice that compliments the conventional methods of care provision to patients who are recovering from surgeries.
The final study that gives evidence on the effectiveness of the healing touch technique is entitled Effects of Healing Touch and Relaxation Therapy on Adult Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: A Feasibility Pilot Study. Employing the use of stem cell transplant has proved to be an effective method in addressing the advanced cancers in adult patients. However, the side effects of this procedure have resulted in reduced well-being of the patients during the recovery period. As such, this study served to establish whether the application of this method is effective in creating a feeling of relaxation to the adults that have already gone through this procedure. This study involved carrying out a randomized controlled test that entailed applying healing touch on 13 postoperative stem cell patients and 13 SCT patients who were subjected to relaxation therapy (Lu et al., 2015). The results indicated that the patients who were involved in the study showed improved psychological improvements and also had shorter stays at the hospital. This study was clinically significant. As such, it showed that the practice is an important technique in making sure that the well-being of the patients in this care provision unit was improved by reducing levels of stay at the hospital. Additionally, this method is vital in reducing the medical costs associated with the extended stay. Furthermore, healing touch improves the state of wellness.
Part 4 historical perspective
The technique has been in use throughout the world from time immemorial. The notable group of people that was at the forefront in using this healing technique was the indigenous people of Australia. The aborigines used this technique in taking care of the ailments affecting them in the past. The art was introduced to the modern world by RN Janet Mertegen who had vast experience in energy based. The notable areas that these techniques were applied included pain centers, private practice, and surgical settings. From the research conducted above, it has been established that the notable area where the healing touch has been in use is the post-operative unit in hospitals (Healing Touch Program, 2014). Most of the patients in these acute care settings are usually faced with psychological problems due to the pain that they are undergoing from the chemotherapy sessions. As such, there is the need for having in place a technique that will adequately address their needs. To address the spiritual, physical, emotional and mind needs of such patients, healing touch is a significant technique that takes care of these needs. Therefore, patients’ requirements are taken care of adequately. This results in patients’ satisfaction.
Part 5
The ethical issues that are associated with the application of the healing touch complimentary model are based on the fact that this kind of care needs to be given within the confines of the patient’s condition. It is important that the physician makes necessary arrangements for ensuring that all the conventional methods have been given the required attention first before resorting to the complementary and alternative methods. Additionally, it is imperative that healing touch practitioners act within the confines of their practice. As such, there is the need for them to provide these services in accordance with their credentials. Moreover, it is important that the care providers ensure there is equality in the care provision process regardless of their color, gender, age, sexual orientation and political affiliations (Healing Touch Program, 2013). An important factor that the care providers should take into consideration is that they need to comply with the laws of the state. Therefore, there is the need for healing touch practitioners to understand the scope of practice. In the event that they act ultra vires to this realization, they will have to take the responsibility for their actions. As such, it is important that they work within the provision of the law to avoid being sued.
References
Foley, M. K. H., Anderson, J., Mallea, L., Morrison, K., & Downey, M. (2015). Effects of Healing Touch on Postsurgical Adult Outpatients. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 0898010115609486.
Healing Touch Program. (2013). Class/Program Information - Healing Touch Program™ | Worldwide Leaders in Energy Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.healingtouchprogram.com/classes/class-program-information
Healing Touch Program. (2013). Code of Ethics - Healing Touch Program™ | Worldwide Leaders in Energy Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.healingtouchprogram.com/resources/htp-ethics/code-of-ethics
Healing Touch Program. (2014). New Research on the Effects of Healing Touch on the Sleep Patterns of Pediatric Burn Patients - Healing Touch Program™ | Worldwide Leaders in Energy Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.healingtouchprogram.com/resources/ht-community-news-archive/60-research-articles/145-new-research-on-the-effects-of-healing-touch-on-the-sleep-patterns-of-pediatric-burn-patients
Healing Touch Program. (2014). What is Healing Touch? - Healing Touch Program™ | Worldwide Leaders in Energy Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.healingtouchprogram.com/about/what-is-healing-touch
Lu, D. F., Hart, L. K., Lutgendorf, S. K., Oh, H., & Silverman, M. (2015). Effects of Healing Touch and Relaxation Therapy on Adult Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.
Lutgendorf, S. K. (2010). Preservation of Immune Function in Cervical Cancer Patients during Chemoradiation using a Novel Integrative Approach. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010350/
Wardell, D. W., Decker, S. A., & Engebretson, J. C. (2012). Healing touch for older adults with persistent pain. Holistic nursing practice, 26(4), 194-202.
