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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07773298

Emotional Freedom Technique for Perceived Traumatic Childbirth

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Perceived Traumatic Childbirth Anxiety Disorders Behavior Birth Injuries Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Infant, Newborn, Diseases Mental Disorders Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Wounds and Injuries

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Yurtbasi Family Health Center

Elâzığ, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Emotional Freedom Technique

Behavioral

The Emotional Freedom Technique intervention was delivered by a researcher who had completed 40 hours of certified EFT training. Participants received an initial face-to-face session lasting approximately 30-40 minutes on Day 1. This was followed by 14 guided online sessions delivered via Zoom twice daily, in the morning and evening, over 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. The intervention included identification of distress related to the previous vaginal birth experience, assessment using the Subjective Units of Experience Scale, formulation and repetition of a reminder phrase, tapping on specified points, empowering affirmations, reassessment, and closure. Participants completed a total of 16 sessions.

Other names: EFT

Primary outcomes

  1. Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline on Day 1 and Day 7, approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face intervention session

    Perceived traumatic childbirth was assessed using the Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale (PTCS). The scale consists of 13 self-report items, each scored from 0 to 10. Total scores range from 0 to 130, with higher scores indicating a greater severity of perceived traumatic childbirth. A total score of 27 or higher indicates perceived traumatic childbirth.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Beck Anxiety Inventory Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline on Day 1 and Day 7, approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face intervention session

    Anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The inventory consists of 21 self-report items, each scored from 0 to 3. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater severity of anxiety symptoms.

  2. Psychological Well-Being Scale Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline on Day 1 and Day 7, approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face intervention session

    Psychological well-being was assessed using the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS). The scale consists of eight self-report items rated on a 7-point scale. Total scores range from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater psychological well-being.

Other outcomes

  1. Subjective Units of Experience Scale Score

    Time frame: Baseline on Day 1; approximately 40 minutes after the first face-to-face session on Day 1; before the second face-to-face session on Day 7; and approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face session on Day 7

    Emotional intensity was assessed using the Subjective Units of Experience (SUE) Scale. Scores range from -10 to +10, where -10 represents the most intense negative emotional experience, 0 represents a neutral state, and +10 represents the highest level of positive emotional experience. Higher scores indicate greater emotional relief and well-being.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ümmügülsüm Ulutaş

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 19, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 19, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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