Non-contact therapeutic touch and wound re-epithelialization: an extension of previous research

Author(s): BARRETT, M., EIDELMAN, W.

Abstract: The study examined the effect of non-contact therapeutic touch (NCTT) on the healing rate of full thickness human dermal wounds utilizing a randomized, double-blind, within subject, crossover design. This is the third experiment in a series of replications and extensions based on the original research design. The protocol incorporated an integral biofeedback, guided imagery, and visualization/relaxation component specifically designed to induce general relaxation. 25 subjects were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups and to biopsies of the left or right lateral deltoid. The rate of re-epithelialization was assessed at day 5 and 10. Active and control treatments comprised 5 min of exposure to two hidden NCTT practitioners, who worked through a one-way mirror coupled with a video monitor for a duration of 10 days. Key postulates of the energy based theory of healing including the Potential inhibitory or dampening effect of the synthetic substance plastic, the dissipating effect of distance, and the influence of the healers' belief as to the effect of distance were examined. The possible influence of suggestion and the placebo effect were eliminated by keeping the subjects blind to the nature of the active treatment modality and by isolating the subjects from the NCTT practitioners with the use of a specially modified door equipped with a one-way mirror.The results demonstrated a non-significant effect for the treatment versus control groups. Several factors may have contributed to the non-significance, including: the ineffectiveness of the healers, the inhibitive or dampening effect of plastic, the use of self-regulatory techniques, the dependent variable examined, the type of dressing utilized, the influence of distance, and the healers' belief as to the effect of distance. Future studies would benefit by examining the methodological protocol introduced in this study and incorporating similar design features in an attempt to explore the theoretical foundation of Therapeutic Touch.

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