Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) as a practice for supporting chronic disease healthcare: a practitioners' perspective

The effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with heart failure: A quasi-experimental study

BACKGROUND

Family members are at the forefront of providing care to patients with chronic illnesses, such as heart failure (HF). Since patient caregiving can affect the mental and physical health of family caregivers, the implementation and training of new psychological interventions by nurses are considered important and necessary for family caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with HF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a quasi-experimental study, in which 91 family caregivers participated. The family caregivers were assigned into two groups of intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 45). Data were collected using a demographic information form, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) developed by Novak and Guest. The intervention group underwent EFT training within six sessions, while the control group received no training. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and absolute and relative frequency) and inferential statistical tests such as Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and independent t-tests were run, and the data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software.

RESULTS

The findings showed that the intervention group had a significant improvement in reducing anxiety (P > 0.001). In addition, EFT significantly reduced caregiver burden among family caregivers of HF patients (P > 0.001).

CONCLUSION

EFT could significantly reduce anxiety and caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients with HF in our study. Therefore, nurses working in clinical settings are recommended to learn and use EFT to reduce the anxiety and caregiver burden of patients' family caregivers.

Making sense of chronic disease using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): An existential view of illness

OBJECTIVE

This article explores chronic disease patients' personal symbolic meanings of their diseases, as emergent from their experience of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) therapy. The present study is part of a larger study that explored chronic disease patients' and EFT practitioners' experiences of using EFT to support chronic disease healthcare.

DESIGN

Eight chronic disease patients who had received EFT were interviewed for this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face to face, or via telephone, or the online videoconferencing platform, Zoom. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged, namely 'illness as an embodiment of unresolved emotional issues', 'illness as body's call for time-out and attention', and 'illness as a boundary from other people'.

CONCLUSION

EFT offers promise as a suitable therapeutic approach to help chronic disease patients make sense of their life stories and lived experiences, and consequently, symbolic meanings of diseases. The exploration of illness symbology and meaning-making may offer therapeutic value to patients, from both an existential and a health behaviors perspective.

Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an evidence-based self-help therapeutic method and over 100 studies demonstrate its efficacy. However, information about the physiological effects of EFT is limited. The current study sought to elucidate EFTs mechanisms of action across the central nervous system (CNS) by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and heart coherence (HC); the circulatory system using resting heart rate (RHR) and blood pressure (BP); the endocrine system using cortisol, and the immune system using salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA). The second aim was to measure psychological symptoms. Participants (N = 203) were enrolled in a 4-day training workshop held in different locations. At one workshop (n = 31), participants also received comprehensive physiological testing. Posttest, significant declines were found in anxiety (-40%), depression (-35%), posttraumatic stress disorder (-32%), pain (-57%), and cravings (-74%), all P < .000. Happiness increased (+31%, P = .000) as did SigA (+113%, P = .017). Significant improvements were found in RHR (-8%, P = .001), cortisol (-37%, P < .000), systolic BP (-6%, P = .001), and diastolic BP (-8%, P < .000). Positive trends were observed for HRV and HC and gains were maintained on follow-up, indicating EFT results in positive health effects as well as increased mental well-being.