NIEUWS

Onderzoek door de Universiteit van Cumbria in Engeland bij 300 patiënten toont aan dat een lichte aanraking
("Gentle Touch" ) bij hoofd, benen, borst en armen aanzienlijke verbeteringen teweegbrengt zowel op fysiek als psychologish niveau.

 In het bijzonder helpt een lichte aanraking het verminderen van stress en pijn en verbeterd de algemene gezondheid.

Alle patiënten die behandeld werden met de 'aanrakingsmethode', voelden zich duidelijk beter, op lichamelijk én geestelijk vlak. De duidelijkste verbeteringen zijn te zien bij patiënten met de meest ernstige klachten. Professor Helen Leathard meent dat 'genezing door milde aanraking' een vast onderdeel zou moeten worden in allerlei soorten behandelingen. Vooral bij ziektes waar pijn- en stressvermindering noodzakelijk zijn.

Veel ouders passen deze methode onbewust toe bij hun jonge kinderen. Uit onderzoek onder driehonderd patiënten blijkt dat dit echt helpt om pijn te verzachten en stress te verminderen. Het onderzoeksteam benadrukt wel dat de techniek een nuttige toevoeging is op medicijngebruik. Het kan medicijnbehandeling niet vervangen.

Orgininele artikel van de Universiteit van Cumbria

Healing by gentle touch reduces stress and pain in patients, says research

Oct 25 2007 12:00AM

New findings discover that patients' symptoms are eased by gentle touch

Healing by gentle touch reduces pain and stress in patients, new research from the University of Cumbria has shown.

Ongoing research by the university shows that patients’ symptoms improved when treated by using this technique.

A study of data from 300 clients of the Centre for Complementary Care in Muncaster, Cumbria, with a wide range of ailments, who received four one-hour treatment sessions within six weeks showed statistically significant improvements in psychological and physical functioning, particularly in stress reduction, pain relief, increased ability to cope and increased general health.

The most substantial improvements were seen in clients with the most severe symptoms when they entered the study. Sub-group analyses of data from clients with cancer, musculo-skeletal ailments and with mental health disorders or psychological stress showed clear benefits for each group of clients.

Helen Leathard, Professor of Healing Science and Pharmacology, said, “On the basis of this sound evidence, healing by gentle touch should play a part in the treatment of people with cancer, mental health problems, or a wide variety of illnesses where help with pain or stress reduction will enhance their well-being.  The treatment provided at the Centre for Complementary Care is beneficial and well regarded by many doctors and nurses in the Cumbria area, where this research was conducted. It is very definitely complementary to conventional medicine and not a replacement.”

The Centre’s Director, Gretchen Stevens, said, “Our form of complementary care is proven to help patients who are suffering with a wide variety of illnesses. We never over-promise and consistently have patients referred to us who benefit from our treatments. I’m not surprised by the research outcomes but I am by the level of scepticism linked to the treatment.

 “As well as individual treatments of healing by gentle touch, the Centre offers a place of peace and safety where people can come for help and information at times of personal crisis. We run an active volunteer programme in which clients with disabilities and health problems regain social skills, participate in useful work and, when possible, regain employment.”

 To find out more please log onto http://www.cccare.org/