Reduction of Hopelessness Through Spiritual Emotional Freedom Techniques Therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Hopelessness has been identified as a major psychological problem that exacerbates the clinical outcomes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Hopelessness is mostly reduced by cognitive therapy, but the results are delayed, so a spiritual element is needed. Spiritual emotional freedom technique (SEFT) therapy can reduce hopelessness because it not only focuses on cognition, but also involves spiritual, psychological, and physical elements. This study aimed to determine the effects of SEFT therapy on the hopelessness of CKD patients undergoing HD. This research was quasi-experimental with pre- and post-test control group designs. The sample size was 64 respondents, who were divided into two groups, each consisting of 32 respondents who were selected by purposive sampling. SEFT therapy was conducted four times. Hopelessness was measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). The data were analyzed by paired t-test and independent samples t-test. Before receiving SEFT, the two groups did not indicate differences in hopelessness (p = 0.141). However, after receiving SEFT, the respondents’ hopelessness in the experimental group was reduced significantly (p = 0.000). Hopelessness in the experimental and control groups also differed significantly after the intervention (p = 0.000). This study revealed that SEFT reduced the hopelessness of CKD patients undergoing HD. SEFT therapy can be implemented in clinical practice areas of nursing to support patient care