THE APPLICATION OF TECHINIQUE OF IMPOSITION OF HANDS IN THE CÂNCER: SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The objective is to analyze, according to a systematic literature review, the use and the effect of techniques of laying on hands (TLH): Reiki, Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch in cancer. Searches were performed in PubMed/Medline, Lilacs, Web of Science, Embase and Ebsco, in October 2013, 19 articles selected and analyzed following issues: Methodology, object of study, impact factors of journals, developing countries, year of publication and results. The literature shows: predominance of quantitative methodology, use of TLH in the care of symptoms of anxiety or pain caused by cancer; predominance of publications in the U.S; publication of the first indexed article in 1999; publications with low or no impact factor as Journal Citation Reports; and predominance of studies with statistically significant results . Although most studies report positive results, none have evaluated the impact of TLH on the focus of disease, which creates a gap in this field of knowledge and sidelines these techniques as a treatment resource.