The Effectiveness of Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique in Reducing Postoperative Pain Among Fracture Patients at RSUD Palembang Bari

Abstract

Fracture is a common musculoskeletal injury that frequently requires surgical intervention, often leading to significant postoperative pain. Effective pain management is essential to support early mobilization, shorten hospital stays, and improve patient comfort. Conventional pharmacological therapy, while effective, carries risks such as nausea, constipation, sedation, and opioid dependence. Therefore, complementary non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly recommended. Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) integrates tapping on specific meridian points with spiritual practices, including prayer, surrender, and positive affirmations, to promote relaxation and reduce pain perception. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SEFT in reducing postoperative pain intensity among fracture patients at Palembang Bari Hospital. A pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted with 20 participants recruited through consecutive sampling. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after SEFT therapy. Statistical analysis using paired-samples t-test revealed a significant reduction in mean pain scores, from 6.95 ± 1.20 before intervention to 3.45 ± 1.82 after therapy (p = 0.000; p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that SEFT effectively decreases postoperative pain, supporting its role as a complementary nursing intervention. Physiologically, tapping on meridian points may stimulate endogenous opioid release, while the spiritual component reduces anxiety and enhances emotional calmness. Together, these mechanisms contribute to improved patient comfort and recovery. In conclusion, SEFT can be integrated into multimodal pain management strategies to optimize postoperative care, reduce reliance on pharmacological agents, and enhance holistic patient outcomes.