Haptotherapy for patients with cancer; experience of haptotherapists and reasons for consultation: A survey among haptotherapists.

Haptotherapy is a type of mind-body therapy that makes use of affective touch. This study aims to provide insights in reasons for haptotherapy for patients with cancer, and in experiences of haptotherapists with these patients. In a cross-sectional study, a survey was conducted among 536 Dutch haptotherapists. Multiple-choice and open-ended questions were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Of 272 (50.7%) responding haptotherapists, 167 (61.5%) had experience with treating people with cancer. Most frequently, combinations of emotional problems and a disturbed body experience were reported as reasons for haptotherapy. Haptotherapists emphasized the need for affective touch to restore patients' body connection. Two-thirds of the respondents treat patients with cancer, addressing the interaction of body and mind. Reasons for consultation cover a wide range of problems in multiple dimensions, in which a disturbed body experience in combination with emotional problems is mentioned most often. • A substantial part of Dutch haptotherapists treat people with cancer. • Reasons for consultation cover a wide range of problems in multiple dimensions. • A disturbed body experience is the most often mentioned reason for haptotherapy. • Combinations of bodily and emotional problems are common reasons for consultation. • Haptotherapists emphasize that affective touch helps to restore body connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]