The effect of emotional freedom techniques on menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and depression level: a randomized sham-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and depression. METHODS: The study was designed as a three-arm randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design, conducted among women in menopause. The sample included 35 participants in the EFT group, 35 in the sham group, and 35 in the control group, totaling 105 participants. The intervention was administered to the EFT and sham groups once weekly for four weeks. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Menopause Symptoms Rating Scale (MSRS), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Scale (MSQLS), and Perimenopausal Depression Scale (Meno-D). Data analysis was performed using χ 2 tests, paired-samples t -tests, one-way ANOVA, and two-way mixed ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS: After the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed in the mean posttest scores of the MSRS (EFT: 10.14±5.96; sham: 16.80±7.21; control: 17.74±5.79), MSQOL (EFT: 50.31±24.69; sham: 57.91±24.43; control: 75.51±24.87), and Meno-D (EFT: 7.69±5.02; sham: 13.31±7.60; control: 15.40±6.17) among the EFT, sham, and control groups ( P