Therapeutic touch. A holistic approach to perioperative nursing (continuing education credit).

1. A technique of noncontact touch called Therapeutic Touch (TT) is beneficial for relieving anxiety in hospitalized patients; enhancing spousal sharing and emotional support during childbirth; increasing hemoglobin levels; lowering postoperative pain; decreasing tension headache pain; decreasing premature neonate's stress response; and increasing the rate of healing for full thickness dermal wounds. 2. There are four observable physical changes that occur in a TT recipient: His or her voice drops several decibels, respirations become slower and deeper, audible signs of relaxation (ie, sigh) are expressed, and a peripheral flush is readily perceived on his or her face. 3. The individual may experience an immediate response, although it may take hours or even days for any change to occur. An essential premise of TT, however, is that the practitioner be compassionate. This compassion must be a caring intent--not personal--and without attachment to the outcome. The TT treatment is rarely tiring for the practitioner and can be rewarding if practiced correctly.