Healing Touch or Guided Imagery In Treating Pain, Fatigue, Nausea, and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

The Efficacy of Healing Touch Versus Guided Imagery on Pain, Fatigue, Nausea, and Anxiety in Patients' Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy

This randomized clinical trial studies healing touch or guided imagery in treating pain, fatigue, nausea, and anxiety in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Healing touch and guided imagery may help treat complications caused by chemotherapy. It is not yet known whether healing touch or guided imagery is more effective in treating pain, fatigue, nausea, and anxiety in patients undergoing chemotherapy

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine if the provision of healing touch or guided imagery during outpatient chemotherapy is associated with decreased pain, fatigue, nausea and anxiety when compared to standard outpatient treatment protocols.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 treatment arms.

ARM A: Patients receive 30 minutes of healing touch therapy comprising magnetic clearing, pain drains, hands in motion/hands still and mind clearing.

ARM B: Patients listen to guided imagery audiotapes for 30 minutes

ARM C: Patients receive standard of care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patients at the outpatient chemotherapy area will be enrolled without consideration for type of cancer or chemotherapeutic agents to be used