Nurse-Led Emotional Freedom Technique for Preoperative Anxiety and Fear in Thyroid Surgery

NCT07454044 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 25-10
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a non-invasive, low-cost complementary intervention that has been used in various clinical settings to reduce anxiety and psychological distress. Although previous studies have suggested the potential benefits of EFT in general anxiety and postoperative psychological outcomes, evidence regarding its effectiveness in patients undergoing thyroid surgery is limited. Thyroid surgery is associated with unique sources of preoperative anxiety and fear due to potential complications related to voice, swallowing, and hormonal balance. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on preoperative anxiety and fear in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving EFT in addition to standard preoperative nursing care or to a control group receiving standard preoperative nursing care alone. EFT will be administered by trained nurses following a standardized protocol during the preoperative period. Anxiety and fear levels will be assessed using validated measurement tools before and after the intervention. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based nursing practices and to support the integration of complementary interventions into perioperative nursing care.

Conditions

Preoperative Anxiety; Fear and Anxiety; Thyroid Surgery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Surgical Anxiety Scale for Adult Patients Total Score (Range: 0-68)

  Total score measured using the Surgical Anxiety Scale for Adult Patients. Scores range from 0 to 68, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.

  From baseline (pre-intervention) to immediately after the intervention (approximately 30 minutes later, preoperatively).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) Total Score (Range: 0-80)

  From baseline (pre-intervention, preoperative period) to immediately after the intervention (approximately 30 minutes later, preoperatively).

• Change in Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) Score (Range: 0-10)

  Immediately before and immediately after the EFT session (approximately 25-30 minutes).

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive Emotional Freedom Technique in addition to routine preoperative nursing care.

Behavioral: Emotional Freedom Technique

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will receive routine preoperative nursing care only.

Interventions

Emotional Freedom Technique BEHAVIORAL

Emotional Freedom Technique will be administered by trained nurses during the preoperative period according to a standardized protocol.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients scheduled for thyroid surgery
• Aged 18 years and older
• Able to speak and understand Turkish
• Literate (able to read and write)
• No visual, hearing, or mental impairment
• Able to communicate effectively
• Preoperative anxiety and fear level of 3 or higher according to the Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) scale

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a neurological disorder
• Diagnosed psychiatric disorder and current use of medication for this condition
• Previous training related to coping with anxiety or fear
• Previous participation in an energy therapy course
• Presence of infection, wound, or scar at the tapping (touch) sites

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Selda Rızalar

  Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Kamile Yaren Behlevan

CONTACT

+905372468285; yaren.behlevan@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 16, 2026
• First Posted: March 6, 2026
• Study Start: February 9, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)