Weze, C., Leathard, H. L., Grange, J., Tiplady, P., & Stevens, G. (2004). Evaluation of healing by gentle touch in 35 clients with cancer. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 8, 40–49.
The healing touch method was a noninvasive, noncondition-specific method in which hands were placed on various parts of the body for about 40 minutes; particular attention was given to areas of pain or discomfort. Four one-hour sessions were conducted over four to six weeks (or withdrawn).
Patients were undergoing the active treatment and long-term follow-up phases of care.
The study used a one-group, pre- and posttest feasibility design.
A statistically significant improvement was found from pre- to posttest for sleep disturbance.