Reducing Examination Anxiety Through Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Somali Students

This study aims to determine the effects of the Emotional Freedom Technique applied before exams on coping with stress and anxiety.

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Key information

Conditions

Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Emotional Freedom Techniques Mental Disorders

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Health Sciences

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This experimental randomized controlled trial assigned participants to two groups: the EFT Group (n=31) and the Breathing Group (n=31). Each group received two intervention sessions, held one week apart, prior to the midterm exams. Final assessments were conducted one week after the exams. Data collection tools included the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety to measure anxiety levels, and the Coping Styles with Stress Scale.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Turkish proficiency, willingness to participate in the study voluntarily

Exclusion criteria

The student has coordination and language problems, any diagnosed psychiatric disorder or epilepsy

Treatment and study plan

Emotional Freedom Technique

Other

The EFT group received two 45-55 minute EFT sessions one week before the exams.

Breath Group

Other

The breathing group received two sessions of 15-20 breathing exercises a week before the exams.

Primary outcomes

Anxiety

Time frame: 10 minütes

Anxiety levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale. Students were asked to indicate their anxiety levels on a 10-cm-long horizontal line. The line begins with a 0 and ends with a 10. A 10 indicates extreme anxiety, while a 0 indicates no anxiety. The VAS scale is frequently used to assess anxiety severity.
Stress Coping Styles

Time frame: 10 minütes

The Styles of Coping Scale (SCSS) was used to measure stress coping styles. The scale is a 4-point Likert-type scale, with participants selecting the appropriate option from "not at all appropriate" to "very appropriate." The scale consists of 30 questions and 5 subscales. These subscales are: self-confident approach, optimistic approach, helpless approach, submissive approach, and seeking social support factor. Higher scores on each subscale indicate that the approach in that subscale is used more frequently to cope with stress.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2022
Primary completion: 2022
Study completion: 2022
First posted: Dec 2, 2025
Registry last updated: Dec 2, 2025

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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Completed