Research on EFT for Pregnancy and Mums
This area represents the clinical research conducted on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for pregnancy and mums. Explore by title below. Where the paper is available free of charge in an open access journal, you can download it and use freely (on website, social media, newsletters). If it is behind a pay wall, you can freely share the abstract and reference but cannot share the full article, due to copyright.
Emotional Freedom Techniques and Oxytocin Stimulation Massages that Effectively Reduce Anxiety and Increase Smooth Breast Milk Production of Nursing Mothers
Abstract
Introduction: Maternal anxiety is potentially increased by postpartum psychological changes and the perceived inability to breastfeed effectively. The increase in adrenaline levels could further reduce the resistance and trust of mothers, inhibiting oxytocin and the ability of prolactin to secrete and create milk.
Objectives: Therefore, this research aimed to determine the effectiveness of Oxytocin Stimulation Massage (OSM) and Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) in reducing anxiety and increasing smooth breast milk production.
Methods: The quantitative method was used with a control group to assess the effects of intervention and investigate the relationship between anxiety and the smooth breast milk production of nursing mothers in Public Health Centers, Tasikmalaya.
Results: The results showed a difference in average anxiety scores of the nursing mothers before and after the therapy. The intervention group had a lower score of 1.19 compared to the control group, r = 0.432 (r > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a difference in the average smooth breast milk production before and after the therapy, with the intervention group having a lower score of 8.3 compared to the control group of r = 0.129 (r> 0.05). This research showed that the intervention group had a negative and weak correlation between anxiety and smooth breast milk production after the therapy, with a Pearson correlation of -0.037, R-count, and R-count < R-table at a significance value of 0.854. Finally, EFT was effectively applied to reduce the anxiety of nursing mothers (Cohen's D value = 1.76) and increase smooth breast milk production (Cohen's D value = 1.51).
Conclusion: The study highlights the effectiveness of Oxytocin Stimulation Massage (OSM) and Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT) in reducing maternal anxiety and enhancing smooth breast milk production. Although the correlation between anxiety reduction and milk production was weak, EFT notably reduced anxiety and improved lactation. These therapies show promises for supporting postpartum mothers and could be further developed into accessible, therapeutic applications for maternal care.
Citation (APA Style): Kartilah, T., & Februanti, S. (2024). Emotional Freedom Techniques and oxytocin stimulation massages that effectively reduce anxiety and increase smooth breast milk production of nursing mothers. The Malaysian Journal of Nursing, 16(02), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjn.2024.v16i02.005
Direct link:Â https://ejournal.lucp.net/index.php/mjn/article/view/2380/3301
Supporting, Teaching and Empowering Parents: A Teacher's Manual on Psychosocial Interventions for Elementary School-Aged Students and Parents During Disasters and Emergency Situations
Click here to view the full UNESCO manual:Â https://unesdoc.unesco.org/in/documentViewer.xhtml?v=2.1.196&id=p::usmarcdef_0000378264&file=/in/rest/annotationSVC/DownloadWatermarkedAttachment/attach_import_9b287546-1e7b-426a-a8e1-aad817c2c635%3F_%3D378264eng.pdf&locale=en&multi=true&ark=/ark:/48223/pf0000378264/PDF/378264eng.pdf#%5B%7B%22num%22%3A100%2C%22gen%22%3A0%7D%2C%7B%22name%22%3A%22XYZ%22%7D%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C0%5D
The Effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques Implemented During Early Pregnancy on Nausea-Vomiting Severity and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Objective:Â This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on the severity of nausea-vomiting and anxiety in early pregnancy.Â
Design:Â The sample consisted of 131 pregnant women in the experimental and control groups between 6 and 16 weeks of pregnancy attending an antenatal clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to receive training on EFT or a control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, subjective experiences, the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis. Both groups attended two visits, a week apart. The participants in the EFT group received a session of EFT at each visit and completed two EFT sessions as home assignments, 2 and 4 days after the first visit. The participants in the control group attended two visits a week apart and completed assessments but did not receive EFT.Â
Results: There were 55 women in each group who completed the study, and the groups were similar in terms of baseline measures, including socioeconomic status, smoking status, previous pregnancy, severity of nausea-vomiting, and total pregnancy-related anxiety. EFT significantly reduced anxiety levels from the baseline to the second session (fear of delivery, worries about bearing a handicapped child, concern about one's own appearance) and total pregnancy-related anxiety (total pretest 29.85 ± 9.87, post-test 20.67 ± 8.38; p < 0.001), while the control group showed no reduction in pregnancy-related anxiety (total pretest 26.1 ± 7.79, post-test 25.98 ± 8.49; p = 0.933). Although nausea-vomiting was reduced in both groups over the two-session period, at the end of treatment, the EFT group had significantly lower nausea intensity (EFT group 4.4 ± 1.81, control group 5.36 ± 2.48; p = 0.02).Â
Conclusions:Â EFT is a nonpharmacologic intervention that can be effective in reducing nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in early pregnancy.Â
Citation (APA Style): Güven Santur, S., & Özşahin, Z. (2024). The Effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques Implemented During Early Pregnancy on Nausea-Vomiting Severity and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 30(9), 858–868. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.0586
Direct link:Â https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jicm.2023.0586
Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on the Fear of Childbirth in Iranian Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Fear of childbirth is one of the main causes of women’s emotional difficulty experienced in the perinatal period, especially those having their first child.
Objective:Â The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on the fear of childbirth among primiparous women in Ahvaz, Iran.
Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 116 primiparous women. The participants were randomly divided into intervention (n = 58) or control (n = 58) groups. The intervention group received daily stimulation of certain points in their body for 12 weeks using EFT. The fear of childbirth was measured at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ-A) and at the first postpartum visit with WDEQ-B. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t-test, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: After intervention, the mean score of fear of childbirth in the intervention group decreased from 49.39 ± 8.21 to 40.42 ± 13.43 (p < 0.0001), while the same rate in the control group increased from 49.47 ± 9.06 to 52.09 ± 7.73 (p = 0.002). The mean score of fear of childbirth after delivery in the control group (45.88 ± 7.10) was higher than that in the intervention group (27.13 ± 5.08) (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion:Â Based on the findings of this study, EFT can be considered as an effective method to reduce the fear of childbirth score in primiparous women.
Citation (APA Style): Emadi, S. F., Hekmat, K., Abedi, P., & Maraghi, E. (2024). Effect of emotional freedom technique on the fear of childbirth in Iranian primiparous women: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1145229. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145229
Direct link:Â https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1145229/full
Emotional Freedom Techniques for Postpartum Depression, Perceived Stress, and Anxiety
Abstract
Objective:Â To examine the effect of an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) group intervention on perceived stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms in women in the postpartum period.
Design:Â A one-group pre- and posttest quasi-experimental design.
Setting/Local Problem
Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety affect nearly one in five women in the first 12 months after childbirth. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant worsening of symptoms of PPD, stress, and anxiety in this population. Mental health screening is the standard of care in perinatal settings. This practice has led to an increased rate of PPD and anxiety diagnoses and the need for evidence-based nonpharmacologic interventions to support mothers with PPD and anxiety.
Participants:Â Eleven mothers seeking care for lactation concerns who screened positive for PPD and anxiety symptoms.
Intervention/Measurements
A total of eight 1-hour group EFT sessions were offered to participants over a period of 4 weeks. During the group sessions, participants were taught how to perform the steps of EFT and apply it in a supportive group format. Measurement tools included the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7. The preintervention and postintervention scores of these tools were compared using a paired-samples t test.
Results:Â After implementing EFT as a group intervention, we observed a reduction in mental health burden experienced by women in the postpartum period. There was a statistically significant decrease in depression (p = .003), anxiety (p <.001), and perceived stress (p <.001) scores 1 month after the EFT intervention.
Conclusion:Â These findings suggest that EFT may be a viable adjunctive intervention for managing depression, anxiety, and stress in the postpartum period. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to confirm these findings.
Citation (APA Style): Robbins, N., Harvey, K., & Moller, M. D. (2024). Emotional Freedom Techniques for Postpartum Depression, Perceived Stress, and Anxiety. Nursing for women's health, 28(1), 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2023.09.005
Direct link:Â https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751485123002477?via%3Dihub
The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the impact of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on reducing postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety among pregnant women. A total of 136 participants were included, with 69 assigned to the EFT intervention group and 67 to the control group. The findings revealed that EFT led to significant reductions in both depression and anxiety, as well as improvements in active coping strategies, with benefits that persisted over time. These results indicate that EFT may be an effective therapeutic approach for both the prevention and treatment of PPD, and underscore the importance of further research in this field.
Citation (APA Style): Güdücü, N., & Özcan, N. K. (2023). The effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on postpartum depression: A randomized controlled trial. EXPLORE, 19(6), 842–850. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2023.04.012
Direct link:Â https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830723001180?via%3Dihub
Emotional Freedom Techniques and Breathing Awareness to Reduce Childbirth Fear: A Randomized Controlled Study
AbstractÂ
Background: Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) and breathing awareness (BA) are applicable during labour. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of EFT and BA in the reduction of childbirth fear.
Materials and methods: This randomized controlled study included 120 pregnant women, of whom the EFT, BA and control groups. The women in the EFT and BA groups were offered their intervention in the latent, active and transition phases of labour.
Results: There was no significant difference in the sociodemographic and obstetric factors between the groups (p > 0.05). The Subjective Units of Distress Scale in active and transition phases were significantly lower in the EFT group. The difference in the scores for the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (version B) between the groups was significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Both EFT and BA were observed to be beneficial in clinical practice; the EFT was found to be more effective and permanent.
Citation (APA Style): Irmak Vural, P., & Aslan, E. (2019). Emotional freedom techniques and breathing awareness to reduce childbirth fear: A randomized controlled study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 35, 224–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.02.011
Direct link:Â https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388118303256?via%3Dihub
The Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Therapy on Anxiety Levels in Pre-Mothers Sectio Caesarea at BPM Bengkulu City
Abstract
Background: Anxiety in mothers before giving birth reaches 18-70% from 5.263.057 which can have an impact on delaying surgery, increasing hospitalization days, and can cause postpartum depression.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) therapy on the level of anxiety in pre-sectio caesarea mothers at BPM Bengkulu City.
Method: The research design used was a quasi-experiment design with a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study sample was pregnant women aged ?35 weeks with indications of SC (displacement, fetal/pelvic disproportion, previous SC history, twins). The number of samples in this study was 34 respondents (17 respondents in each group). The sampling technique used in this research is total sampling. The instrument used is the Anxiety Assessment Scale Pregnant for women in Labour (AASPWL). Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test and the Mann-Whitney test with a confidence value of 0.05.
Result: The results showed that after being given the EFT intervention there was a difference in the level of anxiety scores in sectio caesarea mothers with a mean difference of around 3.24 (p-value 0.000).
Conclusion: The EFT intervention is a benefit for lower anxiety in mothers before delivery by SC.
Citation (APA Style): Agustina, F., Elly, N., Dahrizal, D., Asmawati, A., Husni, H., Yovalwan, T., & Rahmadani, W. (2024). The effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) therapy on anxiety levels in pre mothers sectio caesarea at bpm bengkulu city. Jurnal Aisyah Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.30604/jika.v9i2.2820
Evaluating the impact of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on Post-Cesarean Section Pain Management: A Case Study at Jemursari Islamic Hospital, Surabaya
Abstract
Introduction: Problems that arise during post-cesarean section procedures due to incisions caused by tearing of the abdominal wall tissue and uterine wall can cause changes in continuity so that the mother feels pain due to the surgery.
Objective: This study analyzes the impact of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) therapy on managing post-cesarean section pain in a patient at Jemursari Islamic Hospital, Surabaya.
Methods: The research employed a case study design focusing on a single patient, Mrs. M, with acute post-operative pain. Data collection methods included assessment, observation, anamnesis, and interviews. The EFT intervention was administered once daily for three consecutive days, with each session lasting 30 minutes.
Results: The results indicated a reduction in pain intensity from a score of 4 to 2 on the pain scale.
Conclusions: While these findings suggest that EFT may be an effective non-pharmacological pain management tool, the study’s limitations—including the small sample size and absence of a control group—necessitate further research with larger, controlled trials to validate these results.
Citation (APA Style): Maiisa, K. C., Afiyah, R. K., Umamah, F., & Kartini, Y. (2024). Evaluating the impact of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on post-cesarean section pain management: A case study at jemursari islamic hospital, surabaya. Nurse and Holistic Care, 4(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.33086/nhc.v4i1.5132
Direct link:Â https://journal2.unusa.ac.id/index.php/nhc/article/view/5132
The Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on The Childbirth Anxiety in Primigravida in The Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Abstract
Pregnant primigravida women generally experience fear, anxiety, and worry during pregnancy and while facing childbirth and the postpartum period. Anxiety has been identified as a contributing factor in prolonged labour and fetal death . Stress and anxiety management strategies can be implemented using psychotherapy methods such as emotional freedom techniques which is fundamental principle of EFT is to activate and cessation wave through the stimulation of meridian spot to brain, usually tapping . This study employs a quasi-experimental methodology. The research method employed is a single-group pretest-posttest design, which lacks a standard group . This design demands measuring anxiety levels with a pretest conducted before the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) intervention and a posttest conducted afterward. The population under investigation comprises all pregnant primigravida in Tapanuli Tengah Regency between April and August 2024 . A purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain third-trimester primigravida without complications as respondents. A total of 30 respondents met the inclusion criteria . The research objectiove is to ascertain the levels of anxiety before and after the application of Emotional Freedom Techniques on pregnant primigravida women and to understand how the following works of EFT on their anxiety during childbirth. SPSS 25 is a helping tool to analyse the effect using a paired t-test . The results indicate that there is an effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques in lowering a n uneasiness in pregnant primigravida women in their third t erm during childbirth, with a mean of 20.067 and a p-value of 0.000 < (α = 0.05). Based on the research, it can be concluded that Emotional Freedom Techniques has an effect in lowering an uneasiness in pregnant primigravida women in their third t erm during childbirth.
Citation (APA Style): Saragi R, M. M., & Limbong, M. H. (2024). The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on the childbirth anxiety in primigravida in the third trimester of pregnancy. Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health, 6(2), 1343. https://doi.org/10.30829/contagion.v6i2.21818Â