Healing Touch as a Method for Supporting Holistic Nursing Practice: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

• Randy L. Rosamund, LCMC University Medical Center NOLA, USA
• Diane Wind Wardell, University of Texas Health Cizik School of Nursing, USA
• Gloria P. Giarratano, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Deidre J. Devier, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Qingzhao Yu, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-11-2025

Publication Title

Journal of Holistic Nursing

Abstract

Robust studies are necessary to support holistic solutions in healthcare, a tenet of holistic nursing practice. The purpose of this holistic study was to assess the quantitative and qualitative impact of healing touch on nurses' stress perception mid-shift. Recruitment of 128 RNs achieved a power of .7 and medium affect size. Vital signs and Visual Analog Scale for Stress (VASS) scores pre, post, and follow-up of healing touch or deep breathing groups revealed statistically significant Repeated Measures MANOVA findings in favor of healing touch. Pre–post intervention Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, and VASS scores, p = .000, p = .019, and p = .005, respectively, and pre to follow-up Respiratory Rate, and VASS scores, p = .000 and .002, respectively. Qualitative findings affirmed nurses had greater stress reduction receiving healing touch than deep breathing, mid-shift.

First Page

1

Last Page

15

DOI

10.1177/08980101251337518

Rights

© The Author(s) 2025

Recommended Citation

Rosamund, Randy L.; Wardell, Diane Wind; Giarratano, Gloria P.; Devier, Deidre J.; and Yu, Qingzhao, "Healing Touch as a Method for Supporting Holistic Nursing Practice: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial" (2025). LSU-LCMC Cancer Center Faculty Publications. 80.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/llcc_facpubs/80
10.1177/08980101251337518