The Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on Fear and Pain in Intravenous Catheter Applications in Pediatric Emergency

Emotional Freedom Technique is an easy-to-apply therapy method, which is one of the energy psychotherapy methods. The basic principle of the technique is that every limiting thought, disturbing emotion and memory that the individual has is related to the disruption of the electrical flow in his body and creating congestion.

When children apply to the hospital due to illness, they feel anxiety, fear and are exposed to unpleasant procedures that disturb them. Illness and hospitalization cause trauma for children of all age groups. However, there are negative effects on the development of children. Experiencing negative physical events, undergoing surgery and separation of children from their families is a difficult process for them. Children who experience negative emotions during this difficult process also worry about physical limitations. In this case, unlike other friends, they may feel inadequate and blocked. Children experience more uncertain feelings about all procedures to be performed in the hospital than adults. The fact that children have to be in the hospital causes them to experience physiological, emotional and behavioral problems. In these cases, it is important to reduce the negative effects of hospital admissions on children.

Pediatric pain itself is a problem for a child, their parents, and medical staff in a pediatric emergency room. Studies have shown that up to 80% of emergency room patients undergo painful diagnostic procedures such as vein puncture, intravenous insertion and removal, tape removal, and urine sampling. Painful procedures are often unexpected. It therefore intensifies the stress and anxiety associated with the hospital, leading to unpleasant experiences and bad memories associated with medical settings that can adversely affect procedure results. It can also affect future visits and increase the patient's fears. The simple thought of visiting hospital settings can also be distressing for a child. A crowded emergency room environment can be a source of fear and anxiety for children. Children's age and gender, development and communication level, different personalities and temperaments, individual clinical situation and personal response to a painful stimulus should also be addressed. However, studies in the literature on reducing the anxiety and fears of children in the pediatric emergency service were also found to be insufficient.

It is the pain that children are most exposed to in hospitals and during the interventional procedures they do not want. According to the definition of the International Pain Research Organization, pain is; They are unpleasant, sensory and emotional states that are affected by the past experiences of individuals resulting from actual or potential tissue damege. Each child perceives and expresses pain differently. Pain control in children begins with the assessment of pain. Afterwards; Relief of the child's pain and the ability to cope with pain increase the quality of life is provided. Although it is preferred because we all know about the control of pain and the effect of pharmacological methods is seen quickly with its easy applicability, excessive and unconscious use affects physiological functions negatively. Today, although its use has increased compared to the past, non-pharmacological methods that have not reached a sufficient level can be applied easily without harming the body. It can also be applied in pain management by increasing the release of endorphins, the body's natural morphine. There are many non-pharmacological methods that can be applied to us. One of them is acupressure applications. With the acupressure application, gentle strokes are made on the acupuncture points in the body. With these touches, the nociception process begins and the impulses stimulate the serotoninergic and enkephalinergic agents to activate the analgesic system.

An EFT tour is carried out by making light strokes on the transit points of the 14 main meridians in the body. The basic application of EFT is respectively; It starts with the determination of the subjective discomfort level Subjective Units of Disturbance/ SUD. Here on a scale from -10 to +10; -10 of the greatest pain, fear, stress and sadness imaginable; +10 allows us to evaluate the scaling that includes the highest levels of joy, happiness, and well-being. Next, the preparation or setup sentence is formed and repeated by rubbing the space between the chest and shoulder. The sentences are repeated and the acupuncture points are hit in order. After the EFT tour, it is evaluated whether there is a difference in the level of discomfort of the individual with the SUD scale. When measured against the standards of the American Psychological Association's Chapter 12 Task Force on Empirically Validated Therapies, EFT has been found to be an evidence-based practice for anxiety, depression, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

When the literature studies are examined; Positive results of EFT were obtained and no side effects were observed. Emotional liberation techniques are used in children with test anxiety, fear, bedwetting, nightmares, sleep disorders, stress, school problems, learning difficulties and problems related to self-esteem. A study was conducted on the severity of venipuncture pain in hospitalized children aged 6-12 in Iran, comparing acupressure and topical anesthesia applications to Yintang and Laogong points. As a result of the study, it was seen that acupressure was as effective as topical anesthetic cream in relieving venipuncture pain in children. At the same time, the study suggests the use of acupressure practice in nurses' pediatric clinical. In another study example; Acupressure was applied 10 minutes before the venipuncture application and it was found to be effective in reducing the pain experienced by children. In another study example, the effect of acupressure on pain after tonsillectomy in adolescents. evaluated. In a study conducted with 144 children aged 5-12 years, it was observed that acupressure had a positive effect on reducing pain after tonsillectomy surgery.

It has also proven to be a noninvasive, safe and effective method. The use of studies in clinics is recommended and their dissemination should be ensured.