JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rapid shift towards online delivery of services across many touch-based fields, such as manual therapy, psychotherapy, arts-therapy, creative arts practices, and the fitness industry. These fields have faced significant challenges in adapting their face-to-face working methods to an online format, particularly because they typically rely on physical touch and close proximity.

Objective:

The aim of this systematic review was to explore innovative and creative working methods that have been developed by touch-based fields to adapt to the new online format during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

Seven databases were searched, as well as grey literature. Eligible were studies that presented innovative and creative methods for online delivery, specifically considering the limitations posed by the absence of proximity and touch in online settings. As only qualitative studies were found, data were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach.

Results:

The review includes 17 studies and shows that touch-based fields were able to implement innovative and creative methods for online delivery. These methods were grouped into five main themes: Cross-field adaptations, creative use of online platform tools, adapted working methods to address the lack of touch, creative methods that utilized materials or additional tools, and creative methods that required preparation. While there were challenges due to the absence of physical touch and technological barriers, participants were generally open to adapting to the new format and appreciated the continuation of care and support during the pandemic. Secondary findings of the review explored participants and practitioners experiences with creatively adapted methods. While there were challenges due to the absence of physical touch and technological barriers, participants were generally open to adapting to the new format and appreciated the continuation of care and support during the pandemic. Practitioners who predominantly relied on touch integration during their in-person sessions such as body-psychotherapists or physiotherapists, often noted more challenges during online sessions.

Conclusions:

These novel methods showed promise in overcoming the limitations posed by the absence of physical touch and proximity in online settings during COVID-19, and could be applied to other fields in the future.