Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the ef­fect of therapeutic touch (TT) on anxiety and patient satis­faction when performed during a cataract surgery.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial sample consisted of 114 individuals, 57 in the intervention group and 57 controls, who were hospitalized for cataract surgery and who conformed to the study criteria. Prior to the study approval was obtained from the ethics committee and informed consent was given by the patients. Data was collected using a personal information form, a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure anxiety, the Spielberg State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale (NSNCS). During the surgery, patients in the intervention group received a 15-minute session of TT.
Results: In the intervention group, patients’ mean VAS anxiety score after TT was 3.56±1.85, while that of the control group in the 15th minute of the operation was 8,88±1,50. It was found that anxiety levels were reduced in the intervention group after TT compared with the con­trol group, and that vital signs were affected positively. NSNCS scores of patients in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group.
Conclusion: It was observed that TT applied during sur­gery reduced anxiety, affected vital signs positively and increased patent satisfaction. The application of TT dur­ing surgery is recommended.