An overview of Therapeutic Touch and its application to patients with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Therapeutic Touch, a modern application of the ancient technique of “Laying on of Hands, “ has proven to be a successful adjunct to current medical treatments, ranging from post-operative pain control and tension headaches² to anxiety reduction in hospitalized cardiovascular patients.³ While Therapeutic Touch has gained acceptance and has been integrated into many major medical centers, it has not been widely used or documentecl with people afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. The AlZheimer's Resource Center of Connecticut has trained staff (and alsofamilies of patients) in the practice of Therapeutic Touch, beginning with a six-month training periodfor staff in July 1996. During this time, staff performed the technique strictly on each other to learn and refine their skills. In February 1997, the group began to perform Therapeutic Touch on patients. On a case-by-case basis, staff have observed that, following treatments of Therapeutic Touch, patients have demonstrated visible signs of well-being and relaxation-often leading to sleep. Staff also found Therapeutic Touch a way to positively forge emotional connections with patients who are verbally uncommunicative and who sufferfrom varying degrees of dementia.