This list of references was prepared by authors Carol M. Davis and Tuulia Luomala. Visit The Science Behind Light Touch Community Gathering to learn more.
Scientific studies supporting light touch therapy:
Bengston W. & Krinsley D. (2000): Studied the effects of laying hands on mice with mammary adenocarcinoma. Mice were treated for 1 hour per day over a month. The results showed that tumors ulcerated, imploded, and closed. The control group had significantly higher mortality compared to the treatment group, suggesting a stimulated immune response to treatment.
Gronowicz G. et al. (2008): Investigated how therapeutic touch (TT) affects DNA synthesis and mineralization in human osteoblast culture. In the TT group, cell numbers increased significantly compared to the sham treatment group, where the therapist counted backwards from 1000 without any intention to treat. In contrast, in the TT group, the therapist focused on the intention to heal, which led to increased DNA synthesis, cell differentiation, and mineralization in normal osteoblasts while decreasing these processes in cancer cells.
McCraty R. et al. (2003): Tested how holding a test tube containing DNA would react if the person holding the tube could achieve heart coherence. The data indicated that DNA reacts to intentional touch and that when the person is heart-focused, DNA conformation is altered. UV spectra responded to the intention to unwind or wind the DNA. In the control group, these effects were not observed, and DNA conformation remained unchanged, supporting the hypothesis that intention can alter physical systems.
Cerritelli F. et al. (2017): Measured the cognitive status of the therapist on the interoceptive nervous system of the patient. The study aimed to determine if the therapist’s thoughts and focused attention affect the patient. The therapist performed 20 minutes of gentle touch, measured by functional MRI in the posterior cingulate cortex, right insula, and right inferior frontal gyrus. In the first group, the therapist focused on the quality of touch, while in the control group, the therapist was distracted by sounds played through earphones, preventing focused touch. Results showed that the insular cortex is active when the patient receives touch. C-fibers respond to stimuli, and the brain reacts accordingly. Focused touch induces and enhances the relaxation of the interoceptive system, whereas non-focused touch does not.
Other references:
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