The Tapping Evidence Base
Pain · Other Physical Conditions

Examination of the Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on Quality of Life and Symptoms in Dysmenorrhea

Cuvadar, A., Ozcan, H. · Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research · 2026

Randomized trial 👥 65 participants ⚖️ vs. Awareness training / informational brochures (routine counseling) Moderate rigor 📍 Turkiye
In plain English. Sixty-five women with painful periods got either two Tapping sessions or standard education about period pain. The Tapping group reported less pain, fewer symptoms and better physical quality of life.

What they found

65
Sixty-five women with painful periods got either two Tapping sessions or standard education about period pain.

Registered RCT (n=65): two EFT sessions significantly reduced menstrual pain and negative/somatic menstrual symptoms and improved the physical-function quality-of-life parameter vs an active education control. Abstract reports significance without group means, so no between-group effect size captured; pull full text at review.

How the study worked

Who took part Women with primary dysmenorrhea; two 45-60 min EFT sessions vs dysmenorrhea awareness training + brochures. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06129279. (n=65)
What they did In a randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive tapping or a comparison condition, then measured and compared.
Compared with Awareness training / informational brochures (routine counseling)
Measured with Menstruation Symptom Scale, Pain, Quality of Life Scale

💡 Where this could help

A second registered menstrual-pain RCT, notable for using an active education control rather than no treatment.

🔬 What to study next

The natural next step: longer-term follow-up to see how durable the benefit is, and an active ('sham tapping') control to isolate what's doing the work.

The full record

DesignRandomized trial
Participants65 people
PopulationWomen with primary dysmenorrhea; two 45-60 min EFT sessions vs dysmenorrhea awareness training + brochures. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06129279.
Comparison groupAwareness training / informational brochures (routine counseling)
Outcome measuresMenstruation Symptom Scale, Pain, Quality of Life Scale
JournalJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
Year2026
CountryTurkiye
LanguageEnglish
MethodEFT / Tapping
Publication typeStudy / trial
VerificationTranscribed from a peer-reviewed source; pending independent confirmation

Read the original study →

Cite this study

APA

Cuvadar, A., & Ozcan, H. (2026). Examination of the Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on Quality of Life and Symptoms in Dysmenorrhea. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.70310

This record is part of the Tapping Evidence Base — an openly-sourced, fully-referenced directory of the research on EFT/Tapping. Explore more studies on Pain · Other Physical Conditions

Share this study

A ready-made graphic — right-click or long-press to save the image.

Show shareable card
THE TAPPING EVIDENCE BASE Pain 65 participants WHAT THEY FOUND Registered RCT (n=65): two EFT sessionssignificantly reduced menstrual pain andnegative/somatic menstrual symptoms… Randomized trial · 65 participants Cuvadar · 2026 · evidence.thetappingsolution.com