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
