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Clinical Trial
. 2004 Dec;22(4):320-32.
doi: 10.1177/0898010104269242.

Efficacy of therapeutic touch in treating pregnant inpatients who have a chemical dependency

Cheryl N Larden  1 , M Lynne Palmer, Patricia Janssen
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Efficacy of therapeutic touch in treating pregnant inpatients who have a chemical dependency

Cheryl N Larden et al. J Holist Nurs. 2004 Dec.

Abstract

Chemical dependency is known to complicate about 3.8% of pregnancies in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In this study, 54 English-speaking, hospitalized women were randomly assigned to receive either (a) daily Therapeutic Touch over a 7-day period for 20 minutes each day, (b) shared activity with a registered nurse for 20 minutes over a 7-day period, or (c) standard ward care. Anxiety was measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Withdrawal symptoms were measured using a standardized Symptom Checklist. Anxiety scores were significantly less on Days 1, 2, and 3 (p<.05) for the group receiving Therapeutic Touch. Therapeutic Touch may be of value as an adjunctive measure in the treatment of chemical dependency among pregnant women.

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