The Effect of Therapeutic Touch on the Comfort and Anxiety of Nursing Home Residents

Nurses are increasingly using energy therapies such as therapeutic touch (TT) in many countries. This research aimed at finding out the effects of TT on comfort and anxiety of nursing home residents. This research is a quasi-experimental randomized control study which was conducted to investigate the impact of TT on the comfort and anxiety of older people living in a nursing home in Izmir, Turkey, between August 2015 and 2016. The sample of the study was formed from 60 older people who fitted the selection criteria, 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group. Data were collected using a General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) and a Situational Anxiety Inventory (STAI). A statistically significant difference was found between the measurements of the TT and control groups. According to the results, TT reduces anxiety and increases the comfort level of older people (p < 0.05). Considering the positive results of TT on comfort levels and anxiety, it can be recommended as an independent nursing practice.