Emotional freedom techniques and breathing awareness to reduce childbirth fear: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) and breathing awareness (BA) are applicable during labour. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of EFT and BA in the reduction of childbirth fear.

Materials and methods: This randomized controlled study included 120 pregnant women, of whom the EFT, BA and control groups. The women in the EFT and BA groups were offered their intervention in the latent, active and transition phases of labour.

Results: There was no significant difference in the sociodemographic and obstetric factors between the groups (p > 0.05). The Subjective Units of Distress Scale in active and transition phases were significantly lower in the EFT group. The difference in the scores for the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (version B) between the groups was significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Both EFT and BA were observed to be beneficial in clinical practice; the EFT was found to be more effective and permanent.

Keywords: Breathing awareness; Childbirth fear; Emotional freedom techniques; Labour.