Reflection of a therapeutic touch experience: case study 2

Perception of Subtle Energy "Prana", and Its Effects During Biofield Practices: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Background

The idea of "life force" or "subtle pranic energy," sometimes referred to as prana, ki, qi, vital force, and scientifically accepted as biofield, is prevalent across many cultures.

Objectives

This review's objective is to synthesize data from studies that looked at a range of physical, psychological, and biofield sensations while experiencing prana and receiving biofield therapies.

Method

We looked for qualitative, exploratory, and mixed-method studies on subtle pranic energy perceptions, as well as the physical and emotional experiences connected to biofield therapeutic procedures, through searches in 3 electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, ninteen studies were appropriate for this review. The results were synthesized using the 6 steps of the thematic analysis approach.

Results

The first concept, "energy experiences," comprises 4 themes that describe participants' sensations of prana (awareness of temperature variation; presence of energy; physical sensation of energy; and magnetic sensation). The second concept, "positive experiences," consists of 3 themes that describe the benefits of undergoing biofield therapy on the physical and emotional conditions of the participants (positive affective experiences; positive physical sensations; and positive valued experiences). The third concept, "experience of awareness," describes how participants become aware of their mental activities (awareness of mental activities).

Conclusion

Our knowledge of perceptions and experiences related to biofield therapy is enhanced by this meta-synthesis. It gave a comprehensive picture of the enormous sensations and advantages that were felt when engaging in biofield practices.

The Internal Process of Therapeutic Touch

Therapeutic Touch (TT) is a complementary healing modality used by health care providers to reduce anxiety, accelerate relaxation, decrease pain, and enhance immunity. Research studies report outcomes of TT treatments, but few describe the specific process. This qualitative research study was conducted to describe the nature of the core process of TT in adults and full term infants as practiced by five professional nurses, each treating one adult and one infant. Analysis of data obtained from interviews and focused participant observations was conducted. Findings provide empirical data to depict an overall process divided into three phases: (a) preparation, (b) treatment, and (c) termination, that adheres to the standard process as described by Krieger. It expands on the description of each phase, including two new subcomponents, orienting and disengagement, not previously seen in the literature. Lastly, the study describes the modification of the TT process with infants compared to adults.

Energy-based modalities

Research on touch therapies is still in the early stages of development. Studies of Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reiki are quite promising; however, at this point, they can only suggest that these healing modalities have efficacy in reducing anxiety; improving muscle relaxation; aiding in stress reduction, relaxation, and sense of well-being; promoting wound healing; and reducing pain. The multidimensional aspects of healing inherent in patient care continue to be expanded and facilitated by our understanding and application of energy therapies.

Therapeutic Touch, Quiet Time, and Dialogue: Perceptions of Women With Breast Cancer

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To compare the perceptions of women with breast cancer to an experimental therapeutic touch (TT) plus dialogue nursing intervention with perceptions of a control quiet time plus dialogue nursing intervention.

DESIGN

Qualitative study based on the Science of Unitary Human Beings.

SETTING

Data collected as part of a larger experimental study of the effects of TT on pre- and postoperative anxiety and mood and postoperative pain in women with breast cancer.

SAMPLE

18 women with early-stage breast cancer.

METHODS

Telephone interviews at the completion of an experimental or control nursing intervention administered in the women's homes before and after breast cancer surgery.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Women's perceptions of participation in a study of the effects of dialogue and TT or quiet time.

FINDINGS

Content analysis of transcribed telephone interviews revealed few differences in participants' perceptions of experimental and control interventions. Only participants who received the experimental intervention reported body sensations, and only participants in the control group inquired about the study and its purpose. Regardless of experimental or control intervention participation, women expressed feelings of calmness, relaxation, security, and comfort and a sense of awareness. The few women who commented about the nurse who administered the experimental or control intervention indicated that the nurse was empathetic, concerned, supportive, or helpful.

CONCLUSIONS

The women regarded either nursing intervention as a positive experience. Some also expressed positive regard for the research nurse.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurses who are not trained in the administration of TT may use quiet time and dialogue to enhance feelings of calmness and relaxation in patients with breast cancer.

Therapeutic caring: a learning disability experience

This paper is a reflective account of our experiences of giving Therapeutic Touch (TT), for the first time within a learning disability setting, to a client who has profound learning disabilities. Using a case study approach, we share our story of this pathfinder journey of discovery and show how the process of reflection was instrumental in enabling us to gain insight on the unfolding therapeutic and caring relationship which we developed with this client. Issues relating to informed consent were addressed, however these were complex and needed special consideration. As client consent could not be achieved through verbal means we needed to draw on our senses and use intuitive skills together with team involvement. IntroducingTT into a learning disability setting was breaking new ground, and as this case study has shown it does appear to have the potential to enhance therapeutic caring.

The experience of therapeutic touch from a nursing perspective

This article describes the phenomenon of therapeutic touch (TT). Similarities and differences in the experience of the phenomenon from the perspective of a novice practitioner and healthy volunteers are highlighted. A qualitative analysis of findings indicates that the experiences of giving and receiving TT can be classified within two categories: the cognitive (knowing in the widest sense); and conative (instinct and feeling). The key constructs which emerged in this study are associated with feelings such as tingling, warmth, coolness, comfort, peace, calm and security. Formulation of the two main categories, cognitive and conative, emphasize the relationship associated with what is known by the mind and instinctively felt by the body. The holistic aspects associated with the phenomenon of TT are confirmed in the therapeutic relationship which can be formed between the practitioner and recipient during the administration of TT. It is suggested that TT, when provided by the nurse in the clinical setting, can promote feelings of comfort, peace, calm and security among patients.

Physiologic and psychodynamic responses to the administration of therapeutic touch in critical care

Recent publications have questioned the efficacy of therapeutic touch (TT). The focus of attention has been on substantiating the existence of the recipient's energy field rather than on the physiologic and psychodynamic responses to TT. In this article the physiologic and psychodynamic responses during and following the administration of TT is described. The project involved the implementation of a time series design in which the physiologic and psychodynamic responses were measured. It is acknowledged that critical care environments are stressful for patients in terms of invasive medical and nursing procedures. Continuous bright lighting, and excessive noise prohibits the potential for relaxation and sleep. Within this context, the control of confounding variables was not possible, and therefore not an object of concern in the study. Rather the responses to TT in the natural setting were of importance to discern. Statistical repeated measures analysis of variance (one way) indicated there was no significant difference between pre-, during and post-physiologic variables in response to TT. However psychodynamic responses demonstrated significant correlation's in terms of relaxation and sleep. The non significance of physiologic change in variables pre-, during and post-administration of TT indicates critically ill patients remained physiologically stable. Significant correlations of psychodynamic responses demonstrated it is possible for critically ill patients to experience periods of relaxation and sleep in an otherwise stressful environment. TT was found to be a useful therapy to enhance relaxation and sleep in critically ill patients.

Experiences of administering and receiving therapeutic touch in intensive care

This article describes the experiences of a practitioner who administered therapeutic touch (TT) to two patients in an intensive care unit and the experiences of the two patients who received TT. The experiences are presented as two case studies. Each of the patients presented in the case studies received either five or ten treatments of TT lasting five minutes each. Following each administration of TT the practitioner described what she sensed verbally and in writing. However, owing to the medical conditions of the patients, only brief interviews were conducted in which the patients were asked to describe their experiences of receiving TT. The experiences, which have been reflected in the case studies, indicate TT assists patients to relax, brings comfort and a sense of peace. Much like meditation, TT helps patients become more in touch with themselves. They come to understand more about themselves and reality. TT is recommended as a practice which could contribute to the psychological well-being of patients in intensive care as it promotes relaxation, comfort and a sense of peace.