Tapping away trauma: can EFT heal childbirth distress?
NCT ID NCT07773298
First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a therapy that combines tapping on acupressure points with focused thoughts, can reduce the emotional impact of a traumatic childbirth. Women who had a vaginal birth and reported high levels of childbirth-related distress will be randomly assigned to receive EFT sessions or no intervention. The study measures changes in perceived trauma, anxiety, and psychological well-being to see if EFT offers a practical way to support recovery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a behavioral intervention combining tapping on acupressure points with cognitive reframing, delivered in face-to-face and guided online sessions.
- What this could lead to
- If effective, EFT could offer a simple, drug-free way to help women process traumatic childbirth experiences and reduce anxiety.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial, and the outcome depends on self-reported measures. The technique's benefits may not generalize beyond this specific setting.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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158 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2023
- Finished
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Jun 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * A Perception of Traumatic Childbirth Scale score of 27 or higher * A negative affect level of -1 or lower on the Subjective Units of Experience Scale * A history of at least one vaginal birth * Registration at or presentation to Yurtbasi Family Health Center Exclusion Criteria: * A documented psychiatric diagnosis in the Family Health Center records * Inability to communicate in Turkish * Hearing, speech, or comprehension impairments that interfered with communication * Infection, wounds, or scars in the body areas used for tapping during Emotional Freedom Technique
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Yurtbasi Family Health Center
Elâzığ, Elâzığ, Turkey (Türkiye)