Effects of dialogue and therapeutic touch on preoperative and postoperative experiences of breast cancer surgery: an exploratory study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To obtain preliminary data and determine the feasibility of a large-scale experimental study to test the efficacy of the Rogerian Science of Unitary Human Beings-based intervention of dialogue and therapeutic touch (TT) on pre- and postoperative anxiety and mood and postoperative pain from breast cancer surgery. DESIGN: Experimental. SETTING: Mid-Atlantic region; ambulatory. SAMPLE: 29 Caucasian and 2 African American English-speaking women with positive breast cancer biopsy (experimental, n = 14; control, n = 17), ranging in age from 31-84 years old (F = 55.6). METHODS: Treatments administered in subjects' homes within seven days prior to surgery and 24 hours after hospital discharge. Experimental treatment consisted of 10 minutes of TT and 20 minutes of dialogue. Control treatment consisted of 10 minutes of quiet time and 20 minutes of dialogue. Data (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Affects Balance Scale, and Visual Analog Scale-Pain) were collected at the conclusion of each home visit. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Anxiety, mood, and pain. FINDINGS: The experimental group had lower preoperative state anxiety than the control groups (p = 0.008). No difference was found for preoperative mood. No differences were found for any postoperative measure. CONCLUSIONS: A large-scale study of dialogue and TT would require changes in design and recruitment strategies. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses may provide more comprehensive care by incorporating dialogue and TT or quiet time into their pre- and postoperative care. Additional research, however, is recommended to determine the differential effects of dialogue, TT, and quiet time on women's experiences with breast cancer prior to incorporating these noninvasive modalities into clinical practice.