03/04/2026
It’s great to see more and more hospitals recognizing the value of holistic healing modalities and the power of healing through touch and the sharing of energy ✨💕
Hospitals are increasingly exploring integrative care models to improve patient experience while managing costs.
A pilot study published in The American Journal of Managed Care evaluated the “Urban Zen” initiative on an inpatient oncology unit. This multifaceted program included a healing environment, holistic nursing practices (such as Healing Touch and relaxation therapies), yoga and breathwork, aromatherapy, patient navigation, and audiovisual tools for relaxation.
Compared with patients admitted before the intervention, those cared for on the Urban Zen unit had significantly lower medication costs, including reduced use of anti-nausea and anti-anxiety medications. The study reported an average savings of about $469 per patient and approximately $156 per hospital day. Length of stay was not significantly different.
This was a nonrandomized, before-and-after pilot study and does not show that any single therapy caused the cost savings. Rather, it suggests that an integrative, patient-centered healing environment may contribute to reduced medication use and potential cost benefits in inpatient oncology care.
🔗 Read the full study:
https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/documents/AJMCarticle_CostSavings.pdf
