Completed Research Studies Healing Touch and Cancer

Check back - this section will grow as new research is completed.


Healing Touch and Immunity in Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients

Principal Investigator: Susan Lutgendorf, PhD, University of Iowa
Study Completion Date: April 2007
Information Provided by: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

➜ Click here for Article


Healing Touch Augments Radiation Therapy
Authors: Cynthia A. Loveland Cook, Ph.D., R.N.; Joanne F. Guerrerio, R.N.; and Victoria E. Slater, Ph.D., R.N. Originally published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 2004, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 34-40.
Note: This research is considered one of the best medthodlogically completed to date.
Study Sponsor :Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and the School of Social Service, St. Louis University, in St. Louis, Missouri
Study Completion Date: 2004
➜ Summary of Study 


The Effect of Therapeutic Massage and Healing Touch on Cancer Patients
Principal Investigator: Janice Post-White, RN, PhD,FAAN
Co-Investigators: Mary Ellen Kinney, RN, BA, CHTP, Carol Wilcox, RN, MS, I.J. Lerner, MD, and J. Bernsten, RN, MS
Date: December 2003
➜ Click here for Reposted Article


The Lived Experience of Healing Touch with Cancer Patients
Principal Investigator: Charlene Ann Christiano, Florida International University
Date: 1997
➜ Click here for Abstract


Effects of biofield vs. mock healing for fatigue, cytokines, and cortisol variability in breast cancer survivors:

a randomized, controlled trial (dissertation)
Author: Shamini Jain
Date: 2009
➜ Click here for Dissertation


Complementary Medicine for Fatigue and Cortisol Variability in Breast Cancer Survivors
Author: Authors: Shamini Jain PhD, Desiree Pavlik BA, Janet Distefan PhD, Reverend Rosalyn L. Bruyere, Julia Acer MBA, Rosalie Garcia BA, Ian Coulter PhD, John Ives PhD, Scott C. Roesch PhD, Wayne Jonas MD, Paul J. Mills PhD
Notes: A randomized controlled trial
Date: August 2011
➜ Click here for full Article


Links to Other Full, Non-research Articles

The Impact of Healing Touch on Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Joyce Wong, RN, Asad Ghiasuddin, MD, Chieko Kimata, PhD, MPH, MBA, Bonnie Patelesio, and Andrea Siu, MPH
Published: Integrative Cancer TherapiesVolume 12, Issue 1, January 2013, Pages 25-30
➜ Click for Article


Energy Therapies in Oncology Nursing
Authors: Amanda Bulette Coakley and Anne-Marie Barron
Published: Seminars in Oncology Nursing, Volume 28, Issue 1, February 2012, Pages 55-63
Click for Article


In Process Research Studies/Clinical Trials


  • Healing Touch During Chemotherapy Infusions for Women With Breast Cancer
    Principal Investigator: Dr. Ellie Guardino MD/PhD and Kathy Turner RN, NP, Stanford University
    Start Date: April 2007 - Completed
    Study Sponsor: Stanford University
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview

  • Healing Touch in Treating Fatigue in Women Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer
    Principal Investigator: Nancy Wells, DNSc, RN and Fern Fitzhenry, PhD, RN Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
    Start Date: February 2007
    Study Sponsor: Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview
  • Healing Touch as a Supportive Intervention for Adult Acute Leukemia Patients: A Pilot Study
    Principal Investigator: Suzanne C. Danhauer, PhD, Wake Forest University
    Start Date: February 2006
    Study Sponsor: Wake Forest University
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview
  • Hypnosis, Massage Therapy, and Healing Touch in Treating Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Ovarian Epithelial Cancer or Peritoneal Cavity Cancer
    Principal Investigator: Patricia L. Judson, MD Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota
    Start Date: May 2005
    Study Sponsor: Masonic Cancer Center at University of Minnesota
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview
  • Effect of Healing Touch on the Experience of Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer
    Principal Investigator: Lynn M Westphal, Stanford University
    Start Date: January 2005
    Study Sponsor: Stanford University
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview
  • Healing Touch Breast Cancer Study
    Principal Investigator: Susan K Lutgendorf, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Iowa
    Start Date: June 2003
    Study Sponsor: University of Iowa
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview
  • Healing Touch and Relaxation Therapies in Cervical Cancer Patients
    Principal Investigator: Susan K Lutgendorf, MD, University of Iowa
    Start Date: September 2002
    Study Sponsor: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
    Click here for Clinical Trial Overview

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