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This questionnaire-based study looked at 76 patients with chronic musculoskeletal
disorders (back pain, joint pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis)
who received four gentle touch healing sessions at the Centre for Complementary
Care, Cumbria, UK. Sixty-six patients recorded receiving medical treatment
at the same time. Visual analog scale scores for all patients for stress,
pain, and disability were reduced significantly and ability to cope,
relaxation levels, and sleep patterns were improved. There were significant
shifts toward less severe problems with mobility, pain, usual activities,
and anxiety or depression. No adverse effects were reported. Those patients
with the most severe symptoms on entry experienced the greatest improvement.
The relief reported by patients with previously severe, intractable
pain suggests that, when used as an adjunct to standard medical treatment,
gentle touch healing may reduce the intensity and significance of pain,
might provide a useful nonpharmacological alternative for patients who
have adverse effects from analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs, and
might support the effects of physiotherapy and compliance with recommended
exercise regimens. Weze C, Leathard HL, Stevens G. American Journal of Public
Health. 94(1):50-2,2004 Jan.
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/reprint/94/1/50
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