AFHTI understands the need for credible and evidence-based research for energy therapy.
Research studies involving Healing Touch have been conducted and published. The list of studies includes research related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, death and dying, HIV, pain, paediatrics, post-operative recovery and stress.
AFHTI's Research Director Dr. Kristin Wicking has participated in many research projects both in Australia and in the USA.
Our Research Links page has links to research papers and to research available for review on the Healing Beyond Borders and Healing Touch Research USA websites.
For more information on research or to enquire about AFHTI research projects email: info@healingtouch.org.au
Dr. Kristin Wicking; RN, HTP, BSN, MSN, PhD, GradCertEd (Tertiary Teaching) Research Director AFHTI
Dr. Kristin Wicking conducted a randomised controlled trial of Healing Touch for her Doctor of Philosophy Degree, graduating in 2013. Over her professional career, beginning in 1983 in the USA and since 2001 in Australia, she has participated in multiple research teams, supervised numerous research students and collaborated with clinicians on multiple research projects, using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches.
Dr. Wicking won a local award for the presentation of her PhD work in 2012, won a local university teaching award in 2006 and an Australian national teaching award in 2007. She has received local and national research grant funding in 2014 and 2015 for research into teaching across multiple locations and in the fully online environment.
Her past and current research interests focus on optimising wellness for all clients, but particularly those with chronic conditions, older adults and health care professionals; through improvements in the education of both nurses and their clients, through enhanced self-management by clients and through holistic care that includes the integration of reputable complementary therapies - particularly Healing Touch.
Dr Rosalie Van Aken RN, PhD, CHTP/I; Program Coordinator, International Representative and Instructor of AFHTI
Dr Van Aken is a Registered Nurse who has practiced mainly in the areas of mental health and drug and alcohol treatment. She was also employed by Southern Cross University teaching in the areas of Natural Therapies, Stress Management, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol.
In 2004 Dr Aken was awarded a PhD from Southern Cross University for a study titled ‘Emerging from Depression’. This area of energy work and emotional health are a major interest.
She became a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and Instructor in 1996 and continues to have a bioenergetic healing practice as well as teaching all units of the Healing Touch Certificate Program in the Asia Pacific Region.
Dr Aken developed the Way of the Healer series of workshops during 2005 to assist healers to develop their energy system. Her objective is to share bioenergetic healing with as many people as possible through teaching, giving talks and doing the work.
