Senior Housing and Assisted Living

Since the early 1970s many scientific studies were published regarding the effectiveness of Therapeutic Touch, a form of Laying on of Hands developed in the early 1970s by Dolores Krieger, Ph.D., RN, a professor at New York University School of Nursing, and Dora Kunz, a well known healer.

At first Dr. Krieger and Ms. Kunz only taught the techniques to Krieger’s graduate school nursing students. But Dr. Krieger’s professional research and writing increased the popularity of the technique, particularly among nurses. The practice grew nationwide, through a grassroots effort of nurses throughout the United States. Currently, therapeutic touch is taught at hospitals and health centers worldwide and is most commonly practiced by nurses.

Therapeutic touch is a form of healing that uses a practice called “laying on of hands” to correct or balance energy fields. The word “touch” is misleading because physical touch is generally not involved. Instead, the hands hover over the body. Therapeutic touch is based on the theory that the body, mind, and emotions form a complex energy field. According to Dr. Krieger, health is an indication of a balanced energy field, and illness represents imbalance. Studies suggest that therapeutic touch can help to heal wounds, reduce pain, and promote relaxation.

Approximately 75-90% of nursing home residents experiencing dementia develop behaviors that are probably associated with a stress response. This practice is known to promote calmness, decrease restlessness and agitation.

UCLA researchers conducted a double blind study to determine therapeutic touch’s effect on cortisol levels and behavioral symptoms. Cortisol is a key hormone in the stress response. Its levels increase in response to perceived stress, as a way of preparing the body to run or fight.

Sixty-five participants, between 67 and 93 years (average age was 85.5 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The experimental group received therapeutic touch twice daily, with contact on the shoulders and neck for three days.

The placebo group received a fake treatment that mimicked and was identical to the real technique, while the control group received routine care. The results suggest that therapeutic touch may be effective for management of symptoms like restlessness. This technique has the potential to provide, it may also help with reducing costs, because it is an intervention that is easy to learn use and can be an alternative to drug treatment for people with behavioral symptoms.

Want to find out more about how to get well, then visit Elaine R. Ferguson, MD’s site on how to choose the best mind body health techniques for your needs.