SharesRecent nursing journal articles reported on the findings of a rapid assessment of therapeutic touch research.None of the benefits claimed were supported by high-quality evidence.This should not be surprising to anyone. The pseudoscience of therapeutic touch, also known as energy medicine, is called pseudoscience. Surprisingly, and quite disturbing, the authors reported that therapeutic touch is a form of energy medicine.It is still being taught in many North American Colleges, as well as in current nursing literature and nurse education. The current North American Nursing Diagnosis manual (NANDA), [2018 ed.] also includes a diagnosis of Imbalanced Energie Field. . . .Bernie Garrett, RN and Marliss Rivu, MSN were the authors of this rapid evidence assessment. It covered 2009-2020 of studies that explored therapeutic touch as an intervention.The authors provide background information by describing the alleged mechanism for therapeutic touch. It is based on the assumption that all people possess a massless human energy field. This energy field may have a balance that produces good health or an imbalance that may cause illness. Practitioners claim that they can detect and manipulate the energy biofield of a person's body with their hands without touching it. This is to boost the body's natural ability to heal and bring it into balance. This idea of a metaphysical force or life force is a common one in both contemporary and traditional cultures. Star Wars' force being an example.The force might be an inspiration to an enterprising charlatan for a new type of energy medicine. Costumes could be used to create a theatrical placebo, just as in oriental medicine.These notions, according to the authors, are clearly in conflict with current physics and biomedical sciences. It has yet to be proven that the human biofield energy is real, as no anatomical structures nor physiology have been found. This criticism is being answered by some proponents. They claim that the energy proposed is spiritual and exists outside of current scientific knowledge.This article will discuss the reasons for rapid evidence assessment, the methods used, and the results of the studies. However, we recommend that you skip to the end. The article is available online, so you can dig in. The conclusion45 years of research has not yielded any scientific evidence supporting the use of TT [therapeutic Touch] as a complementary intervention for the management of any condition.The past decade of research has shown the same problems as previous work. There are many poor quality, unreplicated studies published mainly in alternative media. The nature of biofield energy in humans is still unknown. Furthermore, no clinically meaningful effect has been established by any quality scientific research. Therefore, it seems that more plausible explanations for the reported benefits could be based on wishful thinking or the use of a theatrical placebo.The authors then accuse their fellow nurses:It is somewhat puzzling that nursing organizations and textbooks continue support TT despite the lack of high-quality research evidence. . . Because no other faith-based interventions have achieved similar popularity in nursing literature. It is clear that biased and poor-quality research can be detrimental to the scientific credibility of the profession.[Citations omitted.]In a refreshing departure from the usual, further research is required:Additional clinical studies that are not based on basic research will raise similar problems. Given the amount of resources spent to date and no evidence, it would be difficult to justify similar work.The authors state that any research should focus on establishing a valid theoretic framework.It is possible to test the ability of TT practitioners to detect a human energy field using well-controlled practical experiments, as Emily Rosa did in 1998. However, this would be at best inept and at worst disingenuous.[Link added.]Yes! Let's apply the same logic to all alternative medicine. Before any more research is conducted or even one penny more is spent on research, let's require additional iterations from energy healers, subluxation-based chiropractors and naturopaths to validate their metaphysics.Imbalanced Energy FieldNANDA International, formerly the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, is the organization that was credited with the creation of the imbalanced energy field diagnosis. According to NANDA's website, its mission is to facilitate the development refinement, dissemination, and use of standard nursing terminology. This means that NANDA provides the best evidence-based nursing diagnoses available for practice and to determine outcomes and interventions.NANDA's Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification is the definitive guide for nursing diagnoses. NANDA defines a nursing diagnosis as a "different from a medical diagnosis".Clinical judgment regarding a person's response to life events/health conditions, or vulnerability. This can be done by an individual, family group, group or community.A 2013 NANDA blog post explains that disturbed energy field was accepted as a nursing diagnosis in 1994. NANDA received complaints, one from James Randi. NANDA reviewed the evidence and committed to using its 2008 Level of Evidence criteria. The 2015-2017 Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions and Classification (10th Edition) was then updated to remove the disturbance energy field. This was only to be reappear in the 11th Edition covering 2018-2020 as the diagnosis of imbalanced energy field. Domain 4 is the category for imbalanced energy field. Activity/rest is a subcategory of Class 3. Energy Balance is a subcategory that includes Fatigue and Wandering. The Table of Contents from the 12th Edition of Nursing Diagnoses (2021-2023) shows that none of these have changed. (I don't have access to the publication.This is the Level of Evidence criteria review.Handbook of Nursing Diagnosis (14th Edition) is a nursing text. 2013. 2013 uses the NANDA taxonomy for diagnosing, and uses the term disturbed energie field. This is what is called the NANDA definition.Discordance in the energy flow surrounding a person's being can cause discordance in the body, mind, and/or spirit.These defining characteristics include a perception of changes to energy flow patterns, such as temperature change, visual changes (e.g. color), disruption of the field (e.g. vacant, hole spike, bulge obstruction, congestion, congestion), movement (e.g. tingling, dense), and sounds. According to the diagnosis, there are related factors. These include those that can slow down or block energy flow due to illness, pregnancy, injury, or other circumstances. You can find more information, but the basic idea is that energy flow blockages caused by illness, fear, or other factors are detectable by temperature changes, tingling, etc.The Authors Note states that some people may find this diagnosis unusual.No kidding!The author, a nurse who says that there are many theories and philosophies to nursing and that mainstream nursing should not be viewed as the only way to practice nursing, ignores such concerns. Instead, nurses should embrace diversity, as they are all linked by the desire to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.This could, of course be used to justify almost any practice, regardless of how unlikely or insufficient evidence.Although specialized training is required to perform therapeutic touch, the Handbook outlines some steps that can be used for beginners.For openness and symmetry, scan the energy field of your client.Feel the cues for energy imbalance. . .Notice the energy flow through the feet and lower legs.If necessary, briefly shake your hands to clear congestion.After the therapeutic touch has been completed, place your hands on the solar plexus. . . und to facilitate the flow of healing energy for the client.There are many state-approved continuing education courses for nurses in energy healing (including therapeutic touches). For CE credit, nurses in Florida can enroll in the following courses:Energy Medicine Therapies: Reiki, Reflexology, Healing Touch, Reiki, and Craniosacral therapyThe Biofield (Human Energy Field), Foundations for Energy MedicineAlternative Medicine in Rehabilitation: Energy-Based TherapiesFor CE credit, nurses can also obtain a Certificate of Energy Medicine. This is the course description:Scientific evidence is showing that humans are made up of an energetic system which is well integrated with the body, emotions and spirit.Scientific evidence has not supported this conclusion.Bernie Garrett, who is the main author of the therapeutic touch review, added this comment to the 2013 NANDA post:A NANDA diagnosis of Disturbed Energy Field can be as useless as a diagnosis for Feeling a bit under-the-weather. It's time that NANDA took control of this situation.James Randi, himself a complainant about the diagnosis, commented on the 2013 NANDA blog post.I accept and agree with another commenter who criticizes the idea of a human energy fields or HEF, but I will simplify the situation slightly. Our $1 million prize is offered by the James Randi Educational Foundation to any TTP [therapeutic touch practitioner] who can demonstrate that they are able to detect the HEF. It's easy. There are no arguments, no fuss, and no supernatural or scientific theories. You can do it and you will walk away with $1,000,000. Based on my experience in the quackery industry, I can tell you that NANDA/I will never be able to grasp the HEF situation. However, they will continue to promote this appealing but false delusion. I need your help to prove my wrong.NANDA refused to accept him as a challenge, and time has proved him right.Nurses who claim that an imbalanced energy field is a valid diagnosis can provide evidence and a plausible mechanism for action. These should not be interpreted as solely spiritual concepts. This could cause conflicts with patients' religions or beliefs. It is illegal to offer services in any other way, regardless of the lack of evidence or full disclosure.Shares
