High Risk PregnancyEFTNCT07436832
Emotional Freedom Technique
A study testing Emotional Freedom Tecnic in people with High Risk Pregnancy, run by Mersin University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique on preoperative anxiety and postpartum depression in high-risk pregnant women who had decided to undergo planned cesarean delivery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- High Risk Pregnancy
- What is being tested?
- Emotional Freedom Tecnic
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 62 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2024to 30 Oct 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
None listed.
Who cannot join
- Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study:
- Pregnant women evaluated between March 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024 at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Perinatology Clinic, who decline voluntary participation,
- Pregnant women classified as low-risk according to the Ministry of Health Risk Assessment Form,
- Younger than 18 years or older than 45 years,
- Those who undergo vaginal delivery,
- Pregnant women with a gestational age of 35 weeks or less,
Show all 10Show fewer
- Those with a State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State) mean score of 36 or lower,
- Pregnant women with any psychiatric disorder or diagnosis,
- Those unable to speak or understand Turkish,
- Participants who withdraw from the study at any stage at their own request.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique Applied to High-Risk Pregnant Women on Anxiety and Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique on preoperative anxiety and postpartum depression in high-risk pregnant women who had decided to undergo planned cesarean delivery. Data were collected from women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy who had made the decision for planned cesarean delivery in the last trimester of pregnancy. In the Emotional Freedom Technique group, the technique was applied during the preoperative period, while the standard care group received only standard care. The study was completed with 30 women in the Emotional Freedom Technique group and 32 women in the standard care group. The "Pregnant Introductory Information Form," the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory," and the "Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale" were used as data collection tools. Pre-test and post-test applications of the scales were performed, and on the 21st day postpartum, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses were used.
- Conditions
- High Risk Pregnancy
- Being tested
- Emotional Freedom Tecnic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Emotional Freedom TecnicOther
Emotional Freedom Technique application to high-risk pregnant women
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| emotional freedom technique group | Experimental | A pregnant woman, who was scheduled for a high-risk cesarean section in the perinatology ward due to a high-risk pregnancy, was initially evaluated using the pregnancy information form and the scores obtained from the SSI. The woman's emotional score was assessed using the SSI scale: The researcher showed her the points to tap before the session. Then, a round of SSI was administered by the researcher and the woman. After the application, the woman was asked to evaluate her emotions on the SSI scale. The session ended if the scale score exceeded +7. For pregnant women who could not reach +7, the SSI round continued by creating new suggestion sentences according to their needs (until it reached +7). The SSI was administered to the woman in the last hour of the preoperative period. Postpartum, the woman was informed that she could perform the SSI she had been taught if she desired, and that if she did, she would inform the researcher of the number of times she had performed it. On the 2 Receives: Other: Emotional Freedom Tecnic |
| standard care group | No intervention | The researcher performing the intervention assigned the individuals to the groups, ensuring a safe randomization process by blinding them to their group. The researcher met with the women upon their admission to the Perinatology Unit, provided information about the study, and obtained their verbal consent. After the hospital preoperative preparations were completed, the researcher opened the envelope and acted according to the group information. Information was provided about the purpose, scope, and duration of the study, and informed consent forms were signed by the volunteer participants (Appendix 6). No other interventions were performed on the women in this group other than the consent forms and assessment tools. In the last hour before the surgery, the researcher again asked the women the questions on the SAC. On the 21st day following her delivery, the women were contacted by phone and asked the EPAD questions, and the study concluded. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
State Anxiety Scale mean score
Mean change in State Anxiety Scorefrom baseline to post-intervention (immediately after treatment), Minimum score: 20, Maximum score: 80, Higher scores indicate higher levels of state (situational) anxiety, Lower scores indicate lower levels of state anxiety.
Measured: Before intervention (baseline) and immediately after intervention (post-test)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2024
- Primary completion30 Sep 2024
- Study completion30 Oct 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for High Risk PregnancyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 62 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mersin University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Meltem Aydın Beşen, Mersin University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07436832
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024/299
- Other IDs
- Mersin University
- Acronym
- EFT
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 27 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because of institutional data protection policies and participant privacy concerns.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique Applied to High-Risk Pregnant Women on Anxiety and Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07436832
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EFT / 2024/299
- Conditions
- High Risk Pregnancy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 62 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Mersin UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Oct 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique on preoperative anxiety and postpartum depression in high-risk pregnant women who had decided to undergo planned cesarean delivery. Data were collected from women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy who had made the decision for planned cesarean delivery in the last trimester of pregnancy. In the Emotional Freedom Technique group, the technique was applied during the preoperative period, while the standard care group received only standard care. The study was completed with 30 women in the Emotional Freedom Technique group and 32 women in the standard care group. The "Pregnant Introductory Information Form," the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory," and the "Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale" were used as data collection tools. Pre-test and post-test applications of the scales were performed, and on the 21st day postpartum, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was administered. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analyses were used.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| emotional freedom technique group | Experimental | Other: Emotional Freedom TecnicA pregnant woman, who was scheduled for a high-risk cesarean section in the perinatology ward due to a high-risk pregnancy, was initially evaluated using the pregnancy information form and the scores obtained from the SSI. The woman's emotional score was assessed using the SSI scale: The researcher showed her the points to tap before the session. Then, a round of SSI was administered by the researcher and the woman. After the application, the woman was asked to evaluate her emotions on the SSI scale. The session ended if the scale score exceeded +7. For pregnant women who could not reach +7, the SSI round continued by creating new suggestion sentences according to their needs (until it reached +7). The SSI was administered to the woman in the last hour of the preoperative period. Postpartum, the woman was informed that she could perform the SSI she had been taught if she desired, and that if she did, she would inform the researcher of the number of times she had performed it. On the 2 |
| standard care group | No intervention | –The researcher performing the intervention assigned the individuals to the groups, ensuring a safe randomization process by blinding them to their group. The researcher met with the women upon their admission to the Perinatology Unit, provided information about the study, and obtained their verbal consent. After the hospital preoperative preparations were completed, the researcher opened the envelope and acted according to the group information. Information was provided about the purpose, scope, and duration of the study, and informed consent forms were signed by the volunteer participants (Appendix 6). No other interventions were performed on the women in this group other than the consent forms and assessment tools. In the last hour before the surgery, the researcher again asked the women the questions on the SAC. On the 21st day following her delivery, the women were contacted by phone and asked the EPAD questions, and the study concluded. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (0 listed)
Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)
- Pregnant women evaluated between March 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024 at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Perinatology Clinic, who decline voluntary participation,
- Pregnant women classified as low-risk according to the Ministry of Health Risk Assessment Form,
- Younger than 18 years or older than 45 years,
- Those who undergo vaginal delivery,
- Pregnant women with a gestational age of 35 weeks or less,
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional Freedom TecnicEmotional Freedom Technique application to high-risk pregnant women | Other | emotional freedom technique group |
Primary outcome
State Anxiety Scale mean score
Time frame: Before intervention (baseline) and immediately after intervention (post-test)
Mean change in State Anxiety Scorefrom baseline to post-intervention (immediately after treatment), Minimum score: 20, Maximum score: 80, Higher scores indicate higher levels of state (situational) anxiety, Lower scores indicate lower levels of state anxiety.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared because of institutional data protection policies and participant privacy concerns.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Emotional Freedom Tecnic in people with High Risk Pregnancy, run by Mersin University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 0 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
State Anxiety Scale mean score (time frame: Before intervention (baseline) and immediately after intervention (post-test)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Feb 2026.