The effect on anxiety and patient satisfaction of therapeutic touch performed during cataract surgery

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of therapeutic touch on anxiety and patient satisfaction when performed during a cataract surgery. It was planned and applied as randomized controlled trial. Materials and Methods: The research sample consisted of 114 individuals, 57 in the intervention group and 57 controls, who were hospitalized for cataract surgery at Manisa Government Hospital between 22 August 2014 and 31 January 2015 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 collection was by face to face interview, using a personal information form, a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure anxiety, the Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale (NSNCS). The anxiety of patients in the intervention and control groups was measured before the surgery in the patient's room using the STAI. During the surgery, patients in the intervention group received a 15-minute session of therapeutic touch. Patients in the control group received only routine treatment. In both groups of patients, anxiety and vital signs were recorded before the surgery in the patient's room, in the operating room in the 15th minute of the operation and after the operation in the patient's room. The STAI was applied again after the surgery in the patient's room, and the NSNCS was given before discharge. Data is evaluated with descriptive statistics, Student t test, Mann Whitney U, Willcoxan signed rank test, Friedman test and Chi-square test. Findings: In the intervention group, patients' mean VAS anxiety score after therapeutic touch 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 therapeutic touch 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. Results: It was observed that therapeutic touch applied during surgery reduced anxiety, affected vital signs positively and increased patent satisfaction. The application of therapeutic touch during surgery is recommended.