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Therapeutic touch for healing acute wounds
1Mount Carmel College of Nursing, 127 South Davis Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43222, USA.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 30, 2003
Summary
Therapeutic Touch (TT) shows variable effects on wound healing. Current evidence is insufficient to confirm TT promotes acute wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Nursing Research
- Wound Care
Background:
- Therapeutic Touch (TT) has gained popularity for wound healing, supported by anecdotal evidence.
- A systematic review was needed to evaluate TT's efficacy in wound healing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing data on the effectiveness of Therapeutic Touch (TT) in promoting wound healing.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases (Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, etc.) and registries for relevant trials up to 2003.
- Included randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing TT to placebo, other treatments, or no treatment.
- One reviewer assessed eligibility; two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated trial quality.
Main Results:
- Four trials involving experimental wounds were included.
- Results on TT's effect on wound healing were inconsistent, with two studies showing a significant positive effect and two favoring the control group.
Conclusions:
- Insufficient evidence currently supports Therapeutic Touch (TT) as a method to promote acute wound healing.