The Power of Touch: The Effects of Havening Touch on Subjective Distress, Mood, Brain Function, and Psychological Health

ABSTRACT

Objective: Havening is a psychosensory therapeutic technique that purportedly harnesses the power of touch to stimulate oxytocin release and facilitate adaptive processing of distressing thoughts/memories. Although Havening is used in clinics worldwide, with anecdotal evidence, very few empirical studies exist to support its efficacy or mechanism of action. The present study is the first to investigate the effects of Havening Touch on subjective distress, mood, brain function, and well-being. Method(s) Participants (n = 24) underwent a single session of Havening, in response to a self-reported distressing event. Mood and resting-state electroencephalography were assessed prior to, and immediately following, the session. Psychological health was assessed at baseline and 2 weeks followup via an online self-report questionnaire. Result(s) There was a greater reduction in subjective units of distress during sessions that included Havening Touch (H+) than sessions that did not include Havening Touch (H-). Electroencephalography results showed an increase in beta and a reduction in gamma activity in H+. Both groups showed reduction in negative mood states immediately following the session and better psychological health at follow-up. Conclusion(s) Findings suggest both touch and nontouch components of the intervention have therapeutic potential, and that Havening Touch may accelerate a reduction in distress during a single Havening session.Copyright © 2022 American Psychological Association