ABS: O'Mathuna, Evidence-based practice and reviews of therapeutic touch

[Gretchen Whitney]

Author's e-mail:        domathuna at mchs.com

Title   :       Evidence-based practice and reviews of therapeutic touch
Author  :       O'Mathuna DP
Journal :       JOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP 32: (3) 279-285 2000

 Document type: Review    Language: English    Cited References: 73    Times
Cited: 0


Abstract:
Purpose: To present principles for accurately representing research for
evidence-based practice and health care policies, and to
evaluate how original research results indicated adherence to those
principles in literature reviews of therapeutic touch.

Organizing constructs: Critical thinking and scientific integrity

Sources: Reviews of therapeutic touch literature published in nursing
journals between 1994 and 1998 and the research studies
cited in those reviews.

Methods: Statements made in reviews about the efficacy of therapeutic touch
were compared with the results and conclusions of
the research cited. General conclusions reported in reviews were evaluated
against a broad range of therapeutic touch (TT)
research studies, including many not cited in reviews. How accurately
reviewers represented the research studies was evaluated
by comparing reviewers' conclusions with those of the researchers. Findings
were organized into principles to guide
evidence-based reviews.

Findings: Literature reviews about therapeutic touch often cited only
research with favorable findings. When citing studies with
contradictory findings, only the favorable findings were usually mentioned.
lit many reviews, research cited as indicating the
efficacy of therapeutic touch indicated it was ineffective. Every review
examined had at least one significant mistake concerning
how research studies were represented.

Conclusions: Accurate presentation of original research results is needed to
make evidence-based decisions and to ensure that
limited healthcare resources are used effectively and safely. Evidence-based
principles should be followed in reviewing therapies
and practices, including alternative therapies.

Author Keywords:
literature review therapeutic touch, citation analysis, clinical decision
making, reliability and validity

KeyWords Plus:
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, UNITED-STATES, PAIN

Addresses:
O'Mathuna DP, 127 S Davis Ave, Columbus, OH 43222 USA.
Mt Carmel Coll Nursing, Columbus, OH USA.

Publisher:
SIGMA THETA TAU INT, INDIANAPOLIS

IDS Number:
349RG

ISSN:
1527-6546

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