title: The effects of healing touch on pain, nausea, and anxiety following bariatric surgery: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Given the growth in the number of bariatric surgeries, it is important for healthcare practitioners to maximize symptom management for these patients, including the option of complementary therapies such as Healing Touch.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A quasi-experimental study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a Healing Touch intervention for reducing pain, nausea, and anxiety in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following surgery, a nurse administered the Healing Touch intervention once daily. Study participants reported levels of pain, nausea, and anxiety immediately before and after the Healing Touch intervention using separate numeric rating scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant decreases in pain, nausea, and anxiety were observed immediately following the intervention on post-operative days one and two, and in pain and anxiety on post-operative day three compared with pre-intervention levels. These findings indicate that the Healing Touch intervention is feasible and acceptable to patients undergoing bariatric surgery, and significantly improved pain, nausea, and anxiety in these patients.
authors: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800782, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0782. Electronic address: jga3s@virginia.edu.
authors: Joel G
authors: JG
authors: Anderson
authors: Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, VI.
authors: Liliana
authors: L
authors: Suchicital
authors: Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, VI.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Lang
authors: Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, VI.
authors: Azra
authors: A
authors: Kukic
authors: Handcrafted Health, LLC, Silver Spring, MD.
authors: Lucrezia
authors: L
authors: Mangione
authors: Inova Health System, Falls Church, VI.
authors: Diane
authors: D
authors: Swengros
authors: Inova Loudoun Hospital, Leesburg, VI.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Fabian
authors: Inova Health System, Falls Church, VI.
authors: Mary Ann
authors: MA
authors: Friesen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019124:Therapeutic Touch; D014110:Touch
keywords: Healing Touch; nausea; nurse; pain; surgery