The effects of therapeutic touch on spiritual care and sleep quality in patients receiving palliative care

Abstract

Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the effect of therapeutic touch (TT) on spiritual care and sleep quality in patients receiving palliative care. Design and Methods The research was conducted on 73 inpatients receiving palliative care in a training and research hospital. Data were collected with Socio-Demographic Status Questionnaire, Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Findings As a result of this study, a statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control group SSCRS (Z = -7.356 p = 0.000) and PSQI (Z = -7.292 p = 0.000) in post-test data after 4 weeks of TT application. Practice Implications The results revealed that TT application has a positive impact on spiritual care and sleep quality of the patients.