The Effect Of Laughter Yoga and Emotional Freedom Technique on Anxiety in Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a process that involves not only physical changes to the body but also profound and continuous emotional and psychological changes. Hormonal fluctuations, bodily changes, cultural norms, and the responsibilities that come with motherhood can cause anxiety in pregnant women. A systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to determine anxiety experienced during pregnancy found that the prevalence of anxiety was 22%. In a study conducted in Turkey, it was reported that 32% of pregnant women experienced anxiety during pregnancy. When looking at the effects of anxiety during pregnancy on the mother and baby, it is seen that there are many negative effects, ranging from low birth weight to an increased risk of postpartum depression. Therefore, methods for coping with anxiety become important at this point.

Laughter yoga and the emotional freedom technique(EFT) are effective methods for reducing anxiety. Laughter yoga is an exercise programme that combines unconditional laughter with yoga breathing (Pranayama) techniques. It lowers stress hormone levels and stimulates the release of endorphins, making the person feel good. The emotional freedom technique is an energy technique based on the idea that 'the source of negative emotions is disturbances in the body's energy system.' It provides relaxation by balancing the person's energy fields. A review of the literature reveals that no studies have been conducted on the effects of laughter yoga and the emotional freedom technique on anxiety during pregnancy.This research was planned to determine the effect of laughter yoga and the emotional freedom technique applied to pregnant women on anxiety.

Inclusion criteria

• For the laughter yoga group: Pregnant women who are willing to participate in the study, can read and understand Turkish, are aged 18 or over, have scored 37 or above on the STAI, have a spontaneous pregnancy, are in their second or third trimester, and have not previously practised laughter yoga.
• For the emotional freedom technique(EFT) group: Pregnant women who are willing to participate in the study, can read and understand Turkish, are aged 18 or over, have scored 37 or above on the STAI, have a spontaneous pregnancy, are in their second or third trimester, have not previously undergone EFT, and have no infections, wounds, scars, etc. in the tapping areas where EFT will be applied.
• For the control group: Pregnant women who volunteered to participate in the study, can read and understand Turkish, are aged 18 or over, scored 37 or above on the STAI, have a spontaneous pregnancy, are in their second or third trimester, and have not previously practised laughter yoga or EFT.

Exclusion criteria

• For the laughter yoga group: Those wishing to continue working, those diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy, those with chronic illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, etc.), those with psychiatric illnesses and/or undergoing psychiatric treatment (pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy), those with any issues that prevent communication (such as impaired hearing, speech, or comprehension), those using pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods to reduce anxiety, those who have undergone abdominal surgery in the last three months, and pregnant women with glaucoma, hernia, epilepsy, bleeding haemorrhoids, or heart disease.
• For the EFT and control group: Those who do not wish to continue the study, those diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy, those with chronic illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, etc.), Those with psychiatric disorders and/or undergoing psychiatric treatment (pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy), Those with any condition that impedes communication (such as impaired hearing, speech, or comprehension), Pregnant women using either pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods to reduce anxiety.