Definitions of the elements of the NANDA-I nursing diagnosis "Imbalanced Energy Field": an integrative review.

The diagnosis has not been validated for effective applicability in clinical practice. The literature on the topic is scarce, and the selected articles did not describe whether they used nursing, quantum or neuroscience theories, nor link outcomes to this diagnosis. Several included studies used more than one integrative practice, so it is difficult to identify which practice produced the effect. The studies described little about the step-by-step energy field technique and poorly described therapist recruitment. Blinding was not possible in the experimental studies, and none used taxonomies that standardize language. Most therapeutic touch studies were from Turkey, where religious influence may have affected sampling, and some were published in religious journals. Some included studies involved nursing and midwifery students or university staff and students, not patients, so the findings may not apply to patient care.

Do not read this review as evidence that energy field imbalance is a real clinical condition or that therapeutic touch, Reiki or the mixed integrative practices improve patient outcomes. The paper only develops definitions, and the diagnosis has not been validated for effective applicability in clinical practice.