THE EFFICACY OF EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE IN REDUCING WORKPLACE STRESS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and workplace stress (WPS) among healthcare professionals. Using a quasi-experimental design, 46 participants (23 males and 23 females) were selected via convenience sampling from twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The findings revealed a negative correlation between EFT and WPS, suggesting that individuals experiencing higher levels of stress are more likely to engage in EFT sessions. Paired sample t-tests and ANOVA analyses further demonstrated significant reductions in workplace stress after EFT interventions, with p-values < 0.001 and moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.359 to 0.843). Across subgroups with different initial stress levels, a consistent decline in mean WPS  scores was observed (from M = 26.58 to M = 21.17), reinforcing the effectiveness of EFT in reducing workplace stress across diverse healthcare professionals. The study highlights EFT as a promising tool for managing stress in healthcare settings and its potential for general application in reducing stress among professionals from varying backgrounds.