Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Technique Versus Web-Based Nursing Intervention on Post-Partum Blues, Parenting Stress and Postnatal Outcomes among Post-Caesarean Section Mothers: A Pilot Study

Background: The postpartum period is a vulnerable phase associated with significant physiological and psychological changes. Post-partum blues and parenting stress are common among post-caesarean section mothers and may adversely affect maternal wellbeing and postnatal outcomes. Non-pharmacological nursing interventions such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and web-based nursing interventions have emerged as feasible approaches to address these concerns. Aim: To assess and compare the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Technique and web-based nursing intervention on post-partum blues, parenting stress and postnatal outcomes among post-caesarean section mothers. Methods: A pilot, pre-experimental, two-group pretest–posttest design was conducted among 20 post-caesarean section mothers selected using purposive sampling. Participants were allocated to Experimental Arm I (EFT, n = 10) and Experimental Arm II (web-based nursing intervention, n = 10). Post-partum blues, parenting stress and postnatal outcomes were assessed using the Likert “Am I Blue?” Assessment Scale, Parenting Stress Scale and selected biological parameters. Interventions were administered for six weeks, three sessions per week, each lasting 30 min. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. Results: Experimental Arm I showed a significant reduction in post-partum blues from severe levels (90%) to mild levels (70%), with marked improvement in parenting stress and postnatal outcomes. The highest mean percentage change was observed in postnatal outcomes (76%). Experimental Arm II also demonstrated significant improvement, with maximum change in postnatal outcomes (62%). Unpaired t-test analysis indicated that EFT was significantly more effective than the web-based intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both interventions were effective; however, Emotional Freedom Technique demonstrated superior outcomes, supporting its integration into postnatal nursing care.