Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a non-invasive, low-cost complementary intervention that has been used in various clinical settings to reduce anxiety and psychological distress. Although previous studies have suggested the potential benefits of EFT in general anxiety and postoperative psychological outcomes, evidence regarding its effectiveness in patients undergoing thyroid surgery is limited. Thyroid surgery is associated with unique sources of preoperative anxiety and fear due to potential complications related to voice, swallowing, and hormonal balance. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on preoperative anxiety and fear in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving EFT in addition to standard preoperative nursing care or to a control group receiving standard preoperative nursing care alone. EFT will be administered by trained nurses following a standardized protocol during the preoperative period. Anxiety and fear levels will be assessed using validated measurement tools before and after the intervention. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based nursing practices and to support the integration of complementary interventions into perioperative nursing care.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest control group design. The study will be conducted in the surgical clinic of Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital among patients scheduled for thyroid surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive Emotional Freedom Technique in addition to routine preoperative nursing care, while the control group will receive routine preoperative nursing care only. Emotional Freedom Technique will be administered by trained nurses in a quiet and comfortable environment during the preoperative period. Preoperative anxiety and fear levels will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated measurement tools. The study aims to evaluate the effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on preoperative anxiety and fear within the scope of perioperative nursing care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
70
Emotional Freedom Technique will be administered by trained nurses during the preoperative period according to a standardized protocol.
Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Surgical Anxiety Scale for Adult Patients Total Score (Range: 0-68)
Total score measured using the Surgical Anxiety Scale for Adult Patients. Scores range from 0 to 68, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.
Time frame: From baseline (pre-intervention) to immediately after the intervention (approximately 30 minutes later, preoperatively).
Change in Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) Total Score (Range: 0-80)
Total score measured using the Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ). The scale consists of 8 items rated on an 11-point Likert scale (0-10), with total scores ranging from 0 to 80. Higher scores indicate greater surgical fear.
Time frame: From baseline (pre-intervention, preoperative period) to immediately after the intervention (approximately 30 minutes later, preoperatively).
Change in Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) Score (Range: 0-10)
Measured using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater emotional distress.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the EFT session (approximately 25-30 minutes).
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