An interventional study of Emotional Freedom Technique in Perceived Traumatic Childbirth, sponsored by Ümmügülsüm Ulutaş. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-19.
Sponsored by Ümmügülsüm Ulutaş · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
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.
33 studies on the registry are indexed under Birth Injuries; 7 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 158 is above the median of 115 across 24 interventional studies indexed under Birth Injuries.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants received a structured Emotional Freedom Technique intervention consisting of two face-to-face sessions and 14 guided online sessions over one week, for a total of 16 sessions.
Behavioral: Emotional Freedom Technique
Participants received no intervention during the study period. After completion of data collection, participants who requested Emotional Freedom Technique were offered an online session.
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.
Also known as: EFT
Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale Total Score
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.
Time frame: Baseline on Day 1 and Day 7, approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face intervention session
Beck Anxiety Inventory Total Score
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.
Time frame: Baseline on Day 1 and Day 7, approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face intervention session
Psychological Well-Being Scale Total Score
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.
Time frame: Baseline on Day 1 and Day 7, approximately 40 minutes after the second face-to-face intervention session
Subjective Units of Experience Scale Score
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.
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
Plan to share: No
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