Objective To explore the intervention effect of emotion-focused therapy (EFT) on patients with anxiety disorders.

Methods A total of 106 patients with anxiety disorders admitted to the psychology department of our hospital were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, with 53 cases in each group. A single-blind design was implemented. The control group received drug treatment, while the observation group received drug treatment combined with experimental and emotion-focused EFT intervention for a month. The intervention effects were compared between the two groups.

Results After the intervention, scores on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) decreased significantly in both groups (P ＜ 0.01), and the decreases were significantly greater in the observation group (P ＜ 0.01). Scores on the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and medication adherence (Morisky-Green Scale) increased significantly in both groups (P ＜ 0.01), and the increases were significantly greater in the observation group (P ＜ 0.01). The treatment efficacy of the observation group was superior to those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05), and the total effective rate was higher than that of the control group.

Conclusions Emotion-focused therapy can enhance treatment adherence and clinical efficacy in patients with anxiety disorders, improve their sense of self-efficacy, and alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve sleep quality.