Emotional freedom techniques for cancer-related sleep disturbance and associated symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Huili Xu, Kim Lam Soh, Putri Binti Yubbu et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for alleviating sleep disturbances in cancer patients. Analyzing data from nine randomized controlled trials involving 760 patients, the study found that EFT significantly reduced sleep disturbance (MD = -3.00, 95% CI: -4.39 to -1.61, P < 0.01), particularly in breast cancer patients and with specific intervention characteristics.
Key findings
- EFT significantly reduced sleep disturbance with a mean difference of -3.00 (95% CI: -4.39 to -1.61, P < 0.01).
- Stronger effects were observed in the 4-week duration subgroup (MD = -6.50, 95% CI: -7.29 to -5.71, P < 0.01).
- EFT was equally effective whether used alone or in combination with other interventions.
- Narrative synthesis indicated potential benefits of EFT for fatigue and pain relief.
Why it matters
Cancer patients often experience interconnected symptoms like sleep disturbance, pain, and fatigue, which can severely impact their quality of life. Effective interventions like EFT may help alleviate these symptoms, improving overall patient well-being and treatment outcomes.