Introduction: Touch is one of the most basic forms of human communication, which has a special meaning in nursing. Nurses use it not only to perform nursing interventions, but also as a means of expressing empathy, establishing trust and alleviating patient discomfort. Therapeutic touch is non-invasive, non-pharmacological nursing intervention that is based on the conscious use of the hands to regulate the energy balance and promote the patient’s well-being. In modern holistic nursing, therapeutic touch is gaining increasing importance as a complementary method that contributes to improving the quality of care and strengthening the relationship between the patient and the nurse. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine the concepts of touch in nursing from the perspective of patients with the help of a literature review. Methods: The literature search took place from april 2024 to september 2024 using bibliographic databases Pubmed and CHINAL Ultimate. Results: Seven studies were analized using inclusion and exclusion criteria. All 7 articles confirm the safety and positive effects of therapeutic touch on the mental and physical state of oncology patients, patients with chronic diseases, patients in intensive care and those on palliative care, as well as elderly, where touch often represents one of the few sources of direct human closeness. Discussion and conclusion: Like patients, nurses also face many challenges regarding touch, but with positive and proper support, we can reduce these challenges and build a more trusting and emphathetic relationship. Therapeutic touch not only regulates the balance, but also strengthens the therapeutic interaction, improves the patient`s well-being, and encourages the development of emotional connection. It positively influences the reduction of anxiety and feelings of unease, alleviates the feeling of nausea and pain, improves quality and eases the patient’s physical symptoms, such as regulating diastolic and systolic blood pressure and heartbeat, which contributes to improving the patient’s quality of life. Further research of therapeutic touch is needed, especially in the Slovenian area.
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