title: Effects of therapeutic touch on anxiety in the institutionalized elderly.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of therapeutic touch, a specific healing technique, on state anxiety in 105 institutionalized elderly. A double-blind, three-group experimental design was used. State anxiety was measured using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The anxiety level of subjects who received therapeutic touch in the form of a back rub was found to be significantly lower than the anxiety level of subjects who received a back rub without therapeutic touch. Results suggest that this noninvasive intervention has potential for enhancing the quality of life for this population.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Simington
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Laing
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000451:nursing*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D014110:Touch