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

• Published in: Psychology & Neuroscience 2022-12, Vol.15 (4), p.332-346
• Main Authors: Sumich, Alexander, Heym, Nadja, Sarkar, Mustafa, Burgess, Tony, French, Julie, Hatch, Lorna, Hunter, Kirsty
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain; Distress; Electroencephalography; Emotional States; Female; Human; Male; Mental Health; Self-Report; Tactual Perception; Trauma; Well Being
• ISSN: 1984-3054; 1983-3288
• DOI: 10.1037/pne0000288

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: 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 follow-up via an online self-report questionnaire. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. Public Significance Statement We present an investigation of an innovative psychological therapy known as Havening that incorporates nurturing touch in order to help people recover from traumatic experiences and improve well-being. In addition to asking people how they felt before and after the therapy, we also measured their brain activity. Moreover, psychological health was assessed at baseline and 2 weeks following the therapy. Findings suggest that Havening Touch is an important part of the intervention that facilitates reduction in feelings of distress and changes brain activity.