CALL FOR BREAST CANCER VOLUNTEERS

The effect of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) online intervention on stress level, anxiety, and well-being in women with non-metastatic breast cancer.

Principal Investigator:

Milly Anne Vinogradoff BSc. MSc.

Research supervisors:
Dr. Catherine Alter and Dr. Hazel Heath

INTRODUCTION

If you are over 18, diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer, and would like to participate in a therapy that is complementary to your regular treatment, you are invited to join a research study that could potentially decrease your stress and anxiety, and improve your well-being. And it’s FREE!

Not only free, but you will receive a stress relief app for your smartphone worth £75 and your participation will help many people with cancer in the future.

Participating in this study is entirely voluntary and this page provides information describing the purpose and procedures of this research so you can make an informed decision about whether you wish to participate.

Participants Information

WHAT IS EFT?

EFT is a very simple tool that involves gently tapping on acupuncture points while verbalising specific stresses and emotions in a certain way.

EFT has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, fatigue, drug side effects and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (EFT research studies)

There are, as yet, no studies on the effect of EFT on the stress level and well-being of women with breast cancer.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY?

You may be eligible if you are over 18 years old, diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer and interested in complementary therapy.

WHY WE FEEL THIS STUDY IS IMPORTANT

The emotional care of patients with cancer can be neglected when clinical staff lack resources (time, protocols) to address the mental distress of their patients. This can lead to a reduced quality of life and potential disease-related mortality.

WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO LEARN WITH YOUR HELP

Your participation will help to determine if EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) could become a promising model of an effective, low-cost, and accessible online intervention to improve vital emotional support for people with cancer.

WHAT TO EXPECT IF I PARTICIPATE?

After emailing your interest at: EFTstudy@icloud.com, you will be invited to fill up a short eligibility form and a consent form.
You will be notified at the beginning of December if you have been selected and to which group you have been assigned
You then will be invited to attend 4 online EFT group sessions where you will learn and practice EFT under the guidance of the main researcher, Milly-Anne Vinogradoff.

January 2023 Group 1: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - 5pm to 6.45pm UK time

March 2023 Group 2: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th - 5pm to 6.45pm UK time

You will be encouraged to practice EFT daily (even if for only a few minutes) and keep notes of your progress.

Before and after the 4 group sessions you will be asked to answer online questionnaires to evaluate if your stress, anxiety and well-being levels have changed.
The questionnaires are multiple-choice and take approximately 35 minutes to complete.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

The expected outcomes are reductions in stress and anxiety and improved well-being.

To date, research confirms that there are no known side effects associated with the use of EFT. Emotional discomfort could occur and in the unlikely event of emotional overwhelm, Emotional Assistants are present in the sessions to help participants manage their emotions individually in a breakout room.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your records are processed anonymously; by law researchers who process the study's records are required to keep them completely confidential. Your name and details will be known only to the principal investigator and will not appear in any documents that are shared with others. If the findings are published in a scientific publication, you will not be identified by name or in any other way.

CONSENT

If you chose to participate in the study, you will be invited to sign a consent form, at which point you will have officially entered the study.

By signing the consent form you will not give up any legal rights to which you are entitled.

You are free to withdraw from this study at any point and do not have to explain why.

I AM INTERESTED IN JOINING THE STUDY, WHAT NEXT?

Just email or call the study team to receive your eligibility and consent form at:

EFTstudy@icloud.com or 07855772393

Should you need any further information or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us,

Thank you for your interest,

Milly Vinogradoff BSc. MSc.