The outcome of tactile touch on stress parameters in intensive care: A randomized controlled trial.

Author(s): Henricson M, Ersson A, Maatta S, Segesten K, Berglund AL

Affiliation(s): University College of Boras, School of Health Sciences, SE 501 90 Boras, Sweden; Karlstad University, Faculty of Social and Life Sciences, Department of Nursing, SE 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden.

Publication date & source: 2008-11, Complement Ther Clin Pract., 14(4):244-54. Epub 2008 May 22.

Publication type:

The study aimed to investigate the effects of a five-day tactile touch intervention in order to find new and unconventional measures to moderate the detrimental influence of patients' stressors during intensive care. The hypothesis was that tactile touch would decrease stress indicators such as anxiety, glucose metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and requirements of sedative drugs and noradrenalin. A randomized controlled trial was undertaken with 44 patients, which were assigned either to tactile touch or standard treatment (a rest hour). Observations of the stress indicators were made before, during and after the intervention or standard treatment. The study showed that tactile touch led to significantly lower levels of anxiety. The circulatory parameters suggested increased circulatory stability indicated by a reduction in noradrenalin requirement. The results need to be further validated through studies with larger sample sizes.