Research on EFT for Sleep

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is a condition that negatively affects the quality of life, daily functioning, and academic success of university students.This study aims to investigate the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on sleep quality and fatigue in young people with sleep problems.

Materials and methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial. A total of 64 students were included in the study and divided into two groups. There were 32 participants in the intervention group and 32 in the control group. The intervention group received two EFT sessions with a four-week interval, while no interventions were applied to the control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire form that included socio-demographic characteristics, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Fatigue Severity Scale. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In the intervention group that received EFT, significant differences were found compared to the control group in terms of Insomnia Severity (t= 6.732, p= 0.001), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (t= 2.16, p= 0.034), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (t= 3.934, p= 0.001) scores. However, no significant difference was found in Fatigue Severity Scale scores (t= 0.910, p= 0.366). Nevertheless, the expected fatigue levels were maintained.

Conclusion: According to the results, the application of EFT to young individuals with insomnia reduces insomnia and sleepiness issues and improves sleep quality.

Citation (APA Style): Özcan, H., Meşedüzü, M., Gülen, E., & Çopur, B. (2025). Investigation of the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on sleep quality and fatigue in young people with sleep problems: Randomized controlled study. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 21(3), 103162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2025.103162

Direct link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830725000539?via%3Dihub

Abstract

Objective: To explore the feasibility and efficacy of emotional freedom therapy (EFT) in improving sleep quality and managing negative emotions in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Methods: Between May 2021 and February 2022, 66 maintenance hemodialysis patients with sleep problems were recruited and randomized into an intervention and control group. The intervention group underwent a 12-week intervention of EFT. Two groups' hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) scores, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and interdialysis weight gain (IDWG) before and one week after the formal intervention were collected and compared. Feasibility analysis was performed using a feasibility questionnaire and in-depth interviews with patients.

Results: Before the intervention, there was no statistical difference in the anxiety, depression, PSQI scores and IDWG between the two groups. After balancing the effects of gender and pre-intervention scores, two-way ANCOVA results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups after the intervention in terms of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, sleep duration, daytime dysfunction and PSQI total score. However, interactions effect for IDWG was statistically significant. Simple effects analysis revealed a difference in post-intervention IDWG between the intervention and control groups for patients over 65 (p < 0.05). Most patients agreed or strongly agreed that the EFT was easy to schedule and they did not experience difficulties during learning the EFT process (respectively 75% and 71.88%). And 75% of the participants were willing to continue practicing EFT. Qualitative content analysis identified five prominent categories related to feasibility and acceptability: affirmation, benefits, communication, support and trust.

Conclusion: EFT can relieve anxiety and depression, enhance sleep quality, and improve the physical condition of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis. As well, the EFT intervention is practicable, acceptable, and perceived as being beneficial to the patient.

Citation (APA Style): Tang, X., Wang, L., Ni, S., Wu, M., Hu, S., & Zhang, L. (2023). Feasibility and effect of emotional freedom therapy on sleep quality in patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis: A pilot study. Geriatric Nursing, 51, 112–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2023.02.021

Direct link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197457223000538?via%3Dihub

Abstract 

Objective: To investigate the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on anxiety, depression and sleep in older people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: 70 older PLWH experiencing anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders were randomly divided into control and experimental groups using a random number table system (RNT), with 35 participants in each group. The experimental group received Emotional Freedom Techniques once a day for 15–20 min as part of their routine care and health counselling, and the intervention lasted for 2 weeks. The control group received standard nursing care and health guidance. The two groups were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure changes in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality before and after the intervention.

Results: There are totally 67 participants in the trial. In the EFT group (n = 33), PSQI scores decreased from 12.36 ± 2.409 to 9.15 ± 2.476(mean ± SD P < 0.001), HA scores decreased from 12.39 ± 2.344 to 9.12 ± 2.176(mean ± SD P < 0.001), HD scores decreased from 11.58 ± 1.969 to 8.94 ± 2.015 (mean ± SD P < 0.001), compared with no change in the usual care group (n = 34). The EFT group showed significantly lower post-intervention scores than the control group on all scales (P < 0.001), indicating the effectiveness of the intervention.

Conclusion: Emotional Freedom Techniques can effectively alleviate anxiety and depression in older PLWH and improve their sleep quality.

Citation (APA Style): Qi, W., Xinyi, Y., Yuhan, W., Wenwen, Y., & Yan, S. (2024). The effect of emotional freedom techniques on anxiety depression and sleep in older people living with HIV: A randomized controlled trial. AIDS Research and Therapy, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-024-00679-4

Direct link: https://aidsrestherapy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12981-024-00679-4

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is a condition that negatively affects the quality of life, daily functioning, and academic success of university students.This study aims to investigate the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on sleep quality and fatigue in young people with sleep problems.

Materials and methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial. A total of 64 students were included in the study and divided into two groups. There were 32 participants in the intervention group and 32 in the control group. The intervention group received two EFT sessions with a four-week interval, while no interventions were applied to the control group. Data were collected using a questionnaire form that included socio-demographic characteristics, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Fatigue Severity Scale. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In the intervention group that received EFT, significant differences were found compared to the control group in terms of Insomnia Severity (t= 6.732, p= 0.001), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (t= 2.16, p= 0.034), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (t= 3.934, p= 0.001) scores. However, no significant difference was found in Fatigue Severity Scale scores (t= 0.910, p= 0.366). Nevertheless, the expected fatigue levels were maintained.

Conclusion: According to the results, the application of EFT to young individuals with insomnia reduces insomnia and sleepiness issues and improves sleep quality.

Citation (APA Style): Özcan, H., Meşedüzü, M., Gülen, E., & Çopur, B. (2025). Investigation of the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on sleep quality and fatigue in young people with sleep problems: Randomized controlled study. EXPLORE, 21(3), 103162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2025.103162

Direct link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830725000539?via%3Dihub

Abstract 

Background: Various physical and mental problems and diseases may develop with aging. Poor sleep quality is the third most common major problem in older adults, affecting all aspects of life. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can be used to treat the disease in older adults.

Objectives: This interventional study attempted to investigate the effect of EFT on sleep quality, sleepiness, and quality of life of older adults.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. The selection of the participants was based on the convenience sampling method. Twenty-one people participated in the study and were divided into two groups of interventions. The study was conducted in the adult day-care center. In one group, 11 people and in the other group, 10 people were included. First, an educational session regarding sleep hygiene was held. Then, the EFT was administered for 4 weeks, 2 sessions per week, and each session lasted for 30 - 45 minutes in the intervention group by the student (first author); sleep hygiene training was also provided for the second group. Study measures included the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the quality-of-life scale. Follow-ups were performed after the intervention and one month later. The statistical tests used were repeated measures and chi-Square tests. A P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: The trend of changes in sleep quality (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively) and sleepiness (P = 0.023, P = 0.001, respectively) was incremental and significant before and after the intervention and one month later in each of the groups, but results show that there was no significant interaction effect for any subscale, including subjective sleep quality (P = 0.786), sleepiness (P = 0.568), and quality of life (P = 0.289).

Conclusions: According to the results, the EFT was effective on sleep quality, sleepiness, and quality of life of older adults in the adult day-care center, and sleep hygiene was influential.

Citation (APA Style): Ghoreishi, S. S., Pourhadi, S., Hosseini, S. R., & Hamidia, A. (2023). The effect of emotional freedom techniques on sleep quality, sleepiness and quality of life of older adults in adult day-care center. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences / Progress in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, 17(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs-126985

Direct link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375676738_The_Effect_of_Emotional_Freedom_Techniques_on_Sleep_Quality_Sleepiness_and_Quality_of_Life_of_Older_Adults_in_Adult_Day-Care_Center

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on sleep quality and happiness of women who underwent breast cancer surgery and lived in military and nonmilitary families.

Design and Methods: The patients were randomly divided into four groups of military intervention (n = 34), nonmilitary intervention (n = 33), military control (n = 31), and nonmilitary control (n = 35). Data were collected using demographic information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.

Findings: The mean scores of sleep quality and happiness in military and nonmilitary intervention groups improved significantly immediately and 1 month after the intervention compared to control groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the military and nonmilitary intervention groups regarding the mean scores of sleep quality and happiness before, immediately, and 1 month after the intervention (p > 0.05).

Practice Implications: Given the efficacy of EFT in improving sleep quality and happiness, it is recommended that this technique be taught to nurses to implement in the entire process of providing nursing care to cancer patients.

Citation (APA Style): Kalroozi, F., Moradi, M., Ghaedi-Heidari, F., Marzban, A., & Raeisi-Ardali, S. R. (2022). Comparing the effect of emotional freedom technique on sleep quality and happiness of women undergoing breast cancer surgery in military and nonmilitary families: A quasi-experimental multicenter study. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 58(4), 2986–2997. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppc.13150

Direct link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ppc.13150

Abstract

Sleep disorders are common among elderly persons, with deleterious effects on their physical and mental health. Many approaches are used to manage such disorders. To compare the Emotional Freedom Techniques–Insomnia (EFT-I) and Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) group therapy as two treatments for insomnia in a geriatric population when delivered, and their effects on sleep quality, depression, and life satisfaction. This open-label randomized controlled trial study was conducted at El-Abbasia Mental Hospital and Osana family wellness elderly nursing home at Maadi, Cairo. It included 60 elderly patients suffering insomnia sleep problems randomized into two equal groups: one group received a Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) intervention, the other had a form of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) adapted for use with insomnia (EFT-I). A self-administered questionnaire with tools for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), depression, and life satisfaction was used to collect data. The fieldwork was from January to March 2021. The two groups had equal median age (70 years), and almost similar gender and place of residence distribution. After the intervention, 73.3% of the EFT group had good sleep quality, compared to 100.0% in the SHE group (P = 0.005); the median score of depression (3.00) was higher in the EFT group compared with 0.00 in the SHE group (P < 0.001); as for life satisfaction, the difference was not statistically significant. The multivariate analyses identified the study intervention as the main statistically significant negative predictor of PSQI and depression scores, and a positive predictor of life satisfaction. Being in the SHE group was a negative predictor of PSQI and depression scores. Both SHE and EFT approaches are beneficial for elderly patients’ sleep quality, with SHE being more effective in ameliorating sleep. Further replication of this study is needed on a large probability sample from different geographical areas to help for the generalization of the results.

Citation (APA Style): Souilm, N., Elsakhy, N. M., Alotaibi, Y. A., & Ali, S. A. O. (2022). Effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) vs sleep hygiene education group therapy (SHE) in management of sleep disorders among elderly. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 6521. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-10456-w

Direct link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-10456-w