Evaluation of the effect of Healing Touch on coronary artery bypass grafting recovery: A randomized controlled trial

Healing Touch (HT) is used to provide holistic care, improve outcomes, and provide comfort. However, there is minimal published literature on its effects among inpatients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), who often experience anxiety, postoperative atrial fibrillation, and postoperative delirium.

To explore the effects of HT on preoperative and postoperative anxiety and postoperative rates of atrial fibrillation and delirium among patients who are having CABG surgery.

This randomized controlled trial collected data over 9 months at a 489-bed, level II trauma center and 5-time Magnet-designated hospital in the midwestern United States. A total of 111 HT sessions (37 preoperative and 74 postoperative) were provided to the 37 patients in the intervention group. The 42 control group participants received standard nursing care, including pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, and educational interventions. Data collection included administering the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) and conducting a retrospective chart review for postoperative atrial fibrillation rates and Confusion Assessment Method scores. Descriptive statistics, paired and unpaired sample t-tests, and chi-square tests were used for analysis.

Among the intervention group participants, patient-reported SUDS scores decreased after receiving an HT session (P < .01), indicating lower levels of anxiety and distress for both preoperative and postoperative phases. No statistically significant difference in the incidence of atrial fibrillation or delirium was found between the intervention and control groups.

The study findings suggest that HT may be an effective intervention to reduce preoperative and postoperative anxiety among patients undergoing CABG surgery.