Emotional Freedom Technique as an Intervention for Anxiety Management in Third Trimester Pregnancy Linda Suwarni1*, Rasmida1, Selviana1, Mardjan1
1Health Science and Psychology Faculty,
Universitas Muhammadiyah Pontianak, Indonesia
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, can be a time of significant anxiety and worry for expectant mothers. Concerns about the birthing process, financial costs, caring for the newborn, and fear of complications can contribute to high anxiety levels. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has emerged as a promising intervention for managing anxiety in various populations.
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Technique in reducing anxiety levels among pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group approach. The sample consisted of 38 pregnant women in their third trimester, with 19 in the experimental group and 19 in the control group, selected using purposive sampling. The research instrument used was a questionnaire adopted from the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HRS-A). The bivariate analysis employed paired t-tests with a 95% confidence interval. This statistical test was used to compare the mean differences in anxiety levels between the pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements within each group (experimental and control).
Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference in anxiety levels before and after the provision of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) therapy (p-value = 0.000). This indicates that EFT was effective in reducing anxiety levels among the pregnant women in the third trimester. These findings suggest that EFT can be applied in midwifery practice, particularly in the care of pregnant women experiencing anxiety or trauma during pregnancy. Pregnant women experiencing anxiety could be encouraged to practice EFT independently at home or during their free time, as it has been shown to have a significant impact in reducing anxiety levels.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential for Emotional Freedom Technique to be a valuable complementary intervention for managing anxiety in the critical third trimester of pregnancy. Incorporating EFT into standard prenatal care may help alleviate the psychological distress often faced by expectant mothers during this important stage of pregnancy.
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