The effect of emotional freedom technique used in intravenous cateter applications in pediatric emergency on fear and pain

Emotional freedom technique is an energy psychotherapy method that helps to establish the balance between mind and body. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of on reducing fear and pain in intravenous catheter applications in children aged 10-14 years who were admitted to the pediatric emergency department. The study was conducted as a randomized control style in the emergency department of a pediatric hospital in Zonguldak between October 2021 and December 2022. As a result of the power analysis, 35 cases were examined in the experimental and control groups between 10-14 age group were formed the sample group. Child and family Information Form and Family Written Consent Form were filled for both groups before the data collection period. Fear, pain, saturation values, respiratory and pulse rates of both groups were evaluated before and after the intrvenous procedures. No statistically significant diffrence was found between the experimental and the control group at pre-procedural medical procedure fear scores (t=-0.037; p>0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the experimental group and control group averages in pain levels at post-procedure period (t=-5.863; p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the mean of pre and post-procedural subjective experience (t=-8.722; p<0.05). Significant difference was found between the mean scores of pre and post procedure period on rate of saturation, pulse and respiratory the children in the experimental group. Significant difference was obtained in post-procedure group on the decreasing pulse and respiratory rates in the control group. As a result of this research, EFT applictions before intravenous catheter procedure in children were found to effective in reducing pain. Also it's effective on reducing the rate of pulse and respiratory, but no change was observed in the saturation rate. Keywords: Emotional freedom technique, Fear, Pain, Child, Nursing.