Aftermath of the Unexpected, Unexplained, and Abrupt Termination of Healing Touch and Extrapolation of Related Costs

Abstract

This qualitative study reports 12 patients' experiences following the unplanned and unexpected termination of their healing touch treatments. Physically disabled, chronically ill patients requiring nursing home levels of care, who were being assisted in staying at home with agency support, had been treated one to two times weekly to monthly over a period of 3 to 4 months by a healing touch practitioner, under a pilot study. Patients had been interviewed twice during their treatments and had described positive experiences with healing touch. Midway through the study, there was an abrupt stopping of treatments without warning or explanation to either patients or researchers. Naturalistic inquiry methodology was used to explore patients' subsequent reactions and experiences. Six patients had negative experiences, including increased pain and impaired functional ability, sleep, and emotional status. Six patients continued to have positive experiences after treatments were terminated. Estimates of potential cost savings with healing touch treatment, as well as ethical implications of discontinuing beneficial treatment without warning or replacement, are discussed.