Knowledge, Perception and Attitude of Nursing Students and Faculty Regarding Therapeutic Touch: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Aim: Alternative and complementary medicine (ACM) including therapeutic touch (TT) is a treatment modality for patients with different health disorders. This modality helps identify illness, manipulate symptoms, helps patients to relax, boosts the body's natural recovery, and motivates positive energy which promotes physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. TT in Saudi culture is of special significance since awareness about the concept, perception and attitude toward its adoption and application not fully exposed. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of nursing students and faculties regarding TT. Methods: A descriptive comparative cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 253 nursing students and 43 faculty members at CON-R, KSAU-HS. A self-report survey was used utilizing a modified version of the knowledge, perception and attitude of health profession faculty questionnaire. Results: The mean age of faculty was 38.9 (9.98) and 21.22 (.94) for students. Most faculty were assistant professors and majority of students were in level 7 and 8. Majority of the faculty reported good knowledge, while considerable percentage of students reported fair knowledge of TT. Regarding perception, faculty and students reported intention to use TT in their nursing practice in the future and agreement to recommend or refer a family/friends or patients to a TT practitioner. As for attitude, majority of the faculty and a substantial percentage of the students reported a positive attitude toward TT. Conclusion and Recommendations: Findings from the current study highlight a significant variation in knowledge, perception and attitudes toward TT between faculty and students. Although, students’ perception and attitude toward TT was promising, their awareness was not adequate. Incorporating TT as a part of CAM in nursing curriculum and clinical practice is recommended. Developing personalized and holistic plan that is culturally competent with further investigation of barriers and facilitators of its adoption and application is also required. Intervention studies along with qualitative perspectives could be also influential.