Main Research Findings

Therapeutic Touch (TT) has been found to have a positive effect on reducing pain and fatigue in cancer patients. showed that TT was significantly more effective in reducing pain and fatigue in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy than placebo or usual care. In addition, found that TT was more effective than presence alone or standard care in reducing pain, mood disturbance, and fatigue in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

TT may also influence the immune function of cancer patients. 5 showed that TT had a significant effect on mouse breast cancer metastasis and immune responses but not primary tumor size. Specifically, TT significantly reduced metastasis and significantly reduced specific cytokines elevated by cancer.

TT may also be effective in preventing radiation dermatitis in cancer patients. conducted a case-control, mono-center, open-label, pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of TT in preventing radiation dermatitis in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant radiation therapy, suggesting that TT may have the potential to prevent radiation dermatitis.

While the study does not focus specifically on the effects of TT on agitation in Alzheimer’s disease, suggests that TT is effective for reducing physical nonaggressive behaviors, but not superior to simulated TT or usual care for reducing physically aggressive and verbally agitated behaviors.

Reasons for Side Effects

Specific research results on the side effects of TT were not found in the above papers. TT is a treatment method that involves direct physical contact, where the practitioner places their hands on the patient's energy field to balance energy and promote the body's natural healing ability. 5

Therefore, side effects may occur due to the practitioner's lack of skill or the patient's poor physical condition. However, TT is generally considered a safe treatment method and serious side effects have not been reported.

Common Side Effects

Dizziness

You may feel dizzy after receiving TT.

Nausea

You may feel nauseous after receiving TT.

Headache

You may experience a headache after receiving TT.

Fatigue

You may feel fatigued after receiving TT.

Muscle Soreness

You may experience muscle soreness after receiving TT.

Countermeasures for Side Effects

Hydration

If you experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or headache, it is important to drink plenty of fluids.

Rest

If you experience symptoms such as fatigue or muscle soreness, make sure to get enough rest.

Choice of Practitioner

It is important to choose an experienced practitioner when receiving TT. 5

Comparison Among Studies

Commonalities Among Studies

The above studies suggest that TT may affect pain, fatigue, mood disturbance, immune function, and radiation dermatitis in cancer patients. TT is generally considered a safe treatment method and serious side effects have not been reported.

Differences Among Studies

The above studies differ in terms of their target diseases, research designs, and evaluation criteria, making it difficult to make direct comparisons. Further research is needed to investigate the effects and side effects of TT in more detail.

Points to Note for Application in Everyday Life

TT has the potential to reduce symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and mood disturbance in cancer patients, but these symptoms vary from patient to patient. Therefore, whether TT is effective or not can only be determined by actually trying it.

It is important to consult with your doctor before receiving TT to make sure that it is an appropriate treatment for your condition and treatment. Also, TT is not a medical practice and is not intended to treat illnesses.

Limitations of Current Research

The above studies have several limitations, such as having a limited number of participants, a small sample size, or a short follow-up period. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the effects and side effects of TT in more detail.

Directions for Future Research

Larger-scale studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of TT. Research is also needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which TT exerts its effects in order to better clarify its effects.

Conclusion

TT is a safe treatment that has the potential to reduce symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and mood disturbance in cancer patients. However, TT is not effective for all patients and there are risks of side effects. It is important to consult with your doctor before receiving TT.