The effect of therapeutic touch on anxiety patients with irritable bowel syndrome

The irritable bowel syndrome is most common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) that Psychological factors play an important role in development and exacerbation it’s symptoms. The aim of this research was to study the effect of therapeutic touch on state and trait anxiety in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The research hypotheses were tested by using pre and post test semi-experimental design with control group. The study sample was consisted of 24 patient that randomly assigned in experimental and control group. Experimental group، in addition to drug therapy، 4 times (once per week) were receiving therapeutic touch. Participants completed Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory. Data was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U Test. The result showed that there is a significant difference between experimental and control group in state anxiety scores، in the other words، therapeutic touch reduced state anxiety in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Also، therapeutic touch reduces trait anxiety in patients with irritable bowel syndrome، but this reduction was not significant. The results this study could starting point for do more research in this area and if approved، use of therapeutic touch for reduced anxiety of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.