The effect of emotional freedom techniques on menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and depression level: a...

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and depression.

The study was designed as a three-arm randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design, conducted among women in menopause. The sample included 35 participants in the EFT group, 35 in the sham group, and 35 in the control group, totaling 105 participants. The intervention was administered to the EFT and sham groups once weekly for four weeks. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Menopause Symptoms Rating Scale (MSRS), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale (MSQLS), and Perimenopausal Depression Scale (Meno-D). Data analysis was performed using χ 2 tests, paired-samples t -tests, one-way ANOVA, and two-way mixed ANOVA for repeated measures.

After the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed in the mean posttest scores of the MSRS (EFT: 10.14±5.96; sham: 16.80±7.21; control: 17.74±5.79), MSQOL (EFT: 50.31±24.69; sham: 57.91±24.43; control: 75.51±24.87), and Meno-D (EFT: 7.69±5.02; sham: 13.31±7.60; control: 15.40±6.17) among the EFT, sham, and control groups ( P <0.05). The EFT group had the lowest MSRS and Meno-D scores, with significant differences observed between the EFT group and both the sham and control groups ( P <0.05). The EFT group also had the lowest MSQOL score, with significant differences identified between the control group and both the sham and EFT groups ( P <0.05). Repeated measures analyses revealed that the time-dependent changes between groups were statistically significant ( P <0.05).

EFT can be considered an effective complementary intervention for reducing menopausal symptoms, alleviating depression, and improving quality of life in women. Incorporating low-cost and feasible techniques such as EFT into women's health services is recommended.