Lutgendorf, S.K, Mullen-Houser, E, Russell, D. DeGeest, K, Jacobson, G, Hart L. Bender D, Anderson B, Buekers, T.E. Goodheart, M.J. Antoni, M.H… Sood, A.K. & Lubaroff, D.M. (2010, Preservation of Immune function in cervical cancer patients during chemoradiation using a novel integrative approach, Brain, Behavior and Immunity, 24 (8), 1231-1240.

This prospective randomized trial conducted at the University of IOWA explored the impact of Healing Touch therapy on cellular immunity (measured by natural killer cell function), mood, quality of life and treatment toxicities/delays.  Sixty women with cervical cancer were randomly assigned to one of three groups in this prospective trial: Healing Touch (HT), relaxation training (RT) and usual care (UC).  The HT and RT group received four weekly individual sessions of their respective therapies immediately following their radiation during their six weeks of chemo-radiation .  Assessments were conducted at baseline, week 4 and 6.  The group receiving HT had a minimal decrease in natural killer cell cytotoxity (NKCC)  compared  to the NKCC of the RT and UC patients who declined sharply during their treatment (p=0.018).  Natural killer cell function is a predictor of survival, so this is a good thing.  HT patients also showed significant decreases in two indicators of depressed mood compared to the RT and UC group over time as well. There were no significant observations on toxicities, treatment delay, quality of life and fatigue.