Emotional Freedom Technique for Perceived Traumatic Childbirth

Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on Perceived Traumatic Childbirth, Anxiety, and Psychological Well-Being: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on perceived traumatic childbirth, anxiety, and psychological well-being among women with perceived traumatic childbirth. Eligible women were randomly assigned to either the EFT group or the control group. The EFT group received two face-to-face sessions and 14 guided online sessions over one week, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. Perceived traumatic childbirth was the primary outcome; anxiety and psychological well-being were the secondary outcomes.

This single-center, two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at Yurtbasi Family Health Center in Elazig, Türkiye. Women were eligible if they had a Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale score of 27 or higher, a Subjective Units of Experience score of -1 or lower, and a history of at least one vaginal birth.

Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the Emotional Freedom Technique group or the no-intervention control group. The EFT intervention consisted of an initial face-to-face session lasting approximately 30-40 minutes on Day 1, followed by 14 guided online sessions delivered via Zoom twice daily for one week. Each online session lasted approximately 15 minutes. A second face-to-face session lasting approximately 30-40 minutes was conducted on Day 7. Participants in the EFT group therefore completed a total of 16 sessions.

Assessments were conducted at baseline on Day 1 and approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face session on Day 7. Perceived traumatic childbirth was assessed using the Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale. Anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and psychological well-being was assessed using the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The control group received no intervention during the study period. After data collection was completed, control-group participants who requested EFT were offered an online session.

Inclusion Criteria:

• A Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale score of 27 or higher
• A negative affect level of -1 or lower on the Subjective Units of Experience Scale
• A history of at least one vaginal birth
• Registration at or presentation to Yurtbasi Family Health Center

Exclusion Criteria:

• A documented psychiatric diagnosis in the Family Health Center records
• Inability to communicate in Turkish
• Hearing, speech, or comprehension impairments that interfered with communication
• Infection, wounds, or scars in the body areas used for tapping during Emotional Freedom Technique