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Complementary healing therapies

D P Wirth1, M J Barrett

  • 1Healing Sciences Research International, Orinda, CA.

International Journal of Psychosomatics : Official Publication of the International Psychosomatics Institute
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
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This study investigated non-contact therapeutic touch (NCTT) and other healing modalities on wound healing, finding no significant improvement and unexpected results possibly due to practitioner effects or subject self-regulation.

Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Wound Healing Research
  • Psychoneuroimmunology

Background:

  • Non-contact therapeutic touch (NCTT) and complementary therapies like Reiki, LeShan, and Intercessory Prayer are explored for their potential in healing.
  • Psychophysiological factors, including biofeedback and guided imagery, may influence the human body's natural healing processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of NCTT, alone and combined with other modalities, on the healing rate of human dermal wounds.
  • To assess the impact of psychophysiological interventions (biofeedback, guided imagery) on wound reepithelialization.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, within-subject, crossover design was employed with healthy subjects undergoing skin biopsies.
  • Interventions included NCTT, Reiki, LeShan, and Intercessory Prayer, alongside guided imagery and hand temperature biofeedback with specific healing or relaxation intents.

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  • Wound healing was assessed by physician evaluation of reepithelialization at days 5 and 10.

    • Main Results:

    • The study observed significance between treated and control groups, but in an unexpected direction, indicating no clear therapeutic benefit.
    • Potential confounding factors included the inherent healing abilities of control practitioners and enhanced self-regulation skills developed by subjects.

    Conclusions:

    • The investigated complementary therapies did not demonstrate a significant positive effect on dermal wound healing under the study conditions.
    • Further research is needed to isolate the effects of specific interventions and control for practitioner and subject-related variables in healing studies.