The effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on pain and depression in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE

Cancer patients frequently experience both physical and psychological challenges, including chronic pain and depression. While conventional treatments primarily rely on pharmacological interventions, complementary approaches such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) may help alleviate both physical and psychological distress. This study aimed to assess the effects of EFT on pain and depression in individuals with cancer.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the oncology ward of a high-capacity hospital in eastern Turkey between December 2023 and March 2024. Seventy cancer patients were randomly assigned to either the EFT group (n = 35) or the control group (n = 35). The EFT group received four structured 30-min sessions over two weeks, led by a certified EFT practitioner, with symptom reassessment after each session. The control group received routine care. Data were collected using a Participant Information Form, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

VAS scores in the EFT group significantly decreased from 4.82 ± 2.47 to 2.44 ± 1.97 (p < 0.05), whereas the control group showed a smaller reduction from 5.36 ± 2.42 to 4.25 ± 2.75 (p > 0.05). BDI scores in the EFT group improved significantly, decreasing from 31.44 ± 17.68 to 18.44 ± 7.0 (p < 0.05), while the control group's scores increased from 27.94 ± 16.26 to 31.42 ± 12.65 (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that EFT was effective in significantly reducing both pain and depression levels in cancer patients.