Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on sleep quality and happiness of women who underwent breast cancer surgery and lived in military and nonmilitary families.
Design and methods: The patients were randomly divided into four groups of military intervention (n = 34), nonmilitary intervention (n = 33), military control (n = 31), and nonmilitary control (n = 35). Data were collected using demographic information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.
Findings: The mean scores of sleep quality and happiness in military and nonmilitary intervention groups improved significantly immediately and 1 month after the intervention compared to control groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the military and nonmilitary intervention groups regarding the mean scores of sleep quality and happiness before, immediately, and 1 month after the intervention (p > 0.05).
Practice implications: Given the efficacy of EFT in improving sleep quality and happiness, it is recommended that this technique be taught to nurses to implement in the entire process of providing nursing care to cancer patients.
Keywords: breast cancer surgery; emotional freedom techniques; happiness; military; sleep quality.
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