Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients frequently experience anticipatory grief (AG), anxiety, and sleep disturbances. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of the emotional freedom technique (EFT) therapy in alleviating these symptoms. METHODS: A total of 58 cancer patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) receiving 4-week EFT therapy (acupoint tapping + scripted prompts, 5 minutes per prompt) plus routine care, or a control group (n = 28) receiving routine care alone. AG was measured using the Preparatory Grief in Advanced Cancer Patients scale, anxiety with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and sleep quality via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline and postintervention. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the intervention group demonstrated: Significantly lower AG scores versus control (P < .01); greater anxiety reduction (P = .04); improved sleep quality (P < .01). CONCLUSION: EFT therapy produces clinically significant improvements in AG, anxiety symptoms, and sleep quality among cancer patients within 4 weeks.