Healthy Outlook

Outcomes

Therapeutic Touch is practised in a range of health care areas. Information below describes some clinical outcomes in the area of aged care.

Mt St Vincent Nursing Home & Therapy Centre Inc

Therapeutic Touch has had a definite impact on our staff and residents.
We have demonstrated results in assisting restless residents settle off to sleep, minimising wandering behaviour, relieving anxiety and associated behaviours. We have residents requesting repeat sessions. (see case study outcomes below)

A number of our staff have attended a training course and the benefits to themselves and their co- workers is very evident.

I would strongly recommend therapeutic touch therapy to those caring for others. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further
assistance.

Yvonne Kromkamp
Director of Nursing
Telephone (03) 64 25 2166

Meercroft Home for the Aged

Therapeutic Touch has enabled staff to achieve great results, particularly in our secure dementia areas, with the management of difficult behaviours, including reduction in anxiety, pacing, verbal disruption, aggression and resistance with ADL's.

Personally the course has helped me with the achievement of relaxation and reduced stress levels. I believe Therapeutic Touch assists me to deal more effectively with emotional situations with residents, relatives and staff.

I strongly recommend the course to anyone who has a commitment to provide quality care.

Karen Smith
Director of Nursing
Phone (03) 64 24 6470

Case Studies

Therapeutic Touch Workshop
Mt St Vincent Nursing Home and Therapy Centre
April 2001

Therapeutic Touch trainees were required to submit Therapeutic Touch (TT) case studies. The outcomes of some of these studies are outlined below.

Reasons for TT Treatment		Outcome - Resident's Responseasasafter Therapeutic Touch

RESIDENT 1
Leg ulcers		Legs white at commencement and turned quite pink by end of TT. Resident relaxed.


RESIDENT 2
Swearing, pacing, resistant		Settled down, became quiet, fell asleep. Woke after 1/2 hour became restless but no longer swearing or resistant.


RESIDENT 3
Objecting to going to shower. Struggling & swearing, "You are not going to get me in there" (shower)		Resident calmed down & said, "We might as well get it over" & stood quietly while she was showered. Still quiet while being dressed but then started swearing again once dressed .

RESIDENT 4
Swearing, resistant		Resident settled down, became quiet, fell asleep. Woke after 1/2 hour, became restless but no longer swearing or resistant.


RESIDENT 6
Vocal, pacing, agitation		During 3 mins of TT was quiet & started to doze off. Then wanted to get up, began pacing although at a lower pace & volume. Within 10 mins back to full volume & pace.

RESIDENT 7
Calling out "nurse", "Nell", "matron" incessantly even though attention & reassurance given (one hour)		Drifted off to sleep, relaxed & peaceful appearance.

RESIDENT 8
Pressure areas/broken skin on buttocks, groaning, eyes screwed up, complaining of pain, rolled up in foetal position		Relaxed, rolled over and asleep by end of treatment. Slept 2 hours.

RESIDENT 9
Parkinson disease: Delusions & hallucinations		Reported she felt warmth through her body. Very relaxed, slept one hour after TT. Very calm during treatment - normally talks excessively & is intrusive in behaviour

RESIDENT 10
Bilateral hip replacement - now displaced. Severe pain		Pain reduced from 5/10 to 0/10. Stated he felt the pain in his R thigh being pushed down & out his legs. Stated it made his leg muscles relax. Breathing deeper than before treatment.

RESIDENT 11
Depression		Patient looked very relaxed, almost asleep. Said she was disappointed when we finished, she wanted to stay in that calm relaxed state. On wheeling her back to the dining room, she had cheered up considerably & told the other residents how wonderful she felt. Did not appear depressed at all.

RESIDENT 12
Headache		Breathing more deeply, face a pink colour, reports that headache has dulled & feels more relaxed & sleepy. Checked back after 25 mins & she was asleep.

RESIDENT 13
Anxious & uptight		Said she felt wonderful & requested another treatment the next day. Was asleep in chair when passing room, 35 mins later