Citation: Clond, M. (2016). Emotional Freedom Techniques for anxiety: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 204(5), 388–395. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000000483 Abstract Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) combines elements of exposure and cognitive therapies with acupressure for the treatment of psychological distress. Randomized controlled trials retrieved by literature search were assessed for quality using the… Read More »
Anxiety
Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Technique: An Alternative Treatment for Fear; Waite & Holder 2003
The Waite-Holder study has often been the study that has been used to discredit EFT and its protocols, as did the APA originally. Here is the paper and included is a rebuttal paper by Pasahow highlighting methodological problems in the Waite-Holder study.
Psychological Symptom Change in Veterans After Six Sessions of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): an Observational Study; Church, Geronilla & Dinter
7 Iraqi and Vietnam War veterans were treated with 6 sessions of EFT and symptom severity decreased significantly by 40%, anxiety decreased 46%, depression 49%, and PTSD 50% and the gains were maintained at the 90-day follow-up.
Efficacy of EFT in Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial; Jones, Thornton & Andrews
36 university students with Public Speaking Anxiety were recruited so that the efficacy of EFT in Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety could be studied with the use of a single 45 min. EFT session. Significant self-reported decreases in anxiety and increased confidence as a speaker were noted.
Reducing Anxiety in Dental Patients using EFT; Temple & Mollon
30 adult clinic dental patients were chosen for an EFT intervention upons reporting dental anxiety and after scoring a 6 or more on a 0-10 SUD scale. Each was given a brief 4 minute EFT explanation and a 6 minute EFT treatment. Pre and post SUD scores were taken. Results showed an average SUD decrease of 5 points with 83% experiencing a decrease of at least 4 points.
Can Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Be Effective in the Treatment of Emotional Conditions? Results of a Service Evaluation in Sandwell; Stewart, Boath, Carryer, Walton, Hill
Study authors report that the results support the potential of EFT as an effective treatment for a range of psychological and physical disorders. As an average of just over 5 sessions were required, it is possible that EFT may also be very cost effective.
Thought Field Therapy Clinical Applications: Utilization in an HMO in Behavioral Medicine and Behavioral Health Services, Sakai
“This uncontrolled study reports on changes in self-reported Subjective Units of Distress (SUD; Wolpe, 1969) in 1,594 applications of TFT, treating 714 patients. Conditions treated include: anxiety and depression, anxiety due to medical condition, anger, acute stress, bereavement, chronic pain, cravings, depression, fatigue, nausea, neurodermatitis, obsessive traits, panic disorder without agoraphobia, parent-child stress, phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, relationship stress, trichotillomania, tremor, and work stress.
Application of Emotional Freedom Techniques, Church and Brooks 2010
This article describes the techniques, how EFT is taught in a workshop setting, and provides case examples. The clinical benefits of EFT and future research directions are discussed.
The Effect of a Brief EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Self-Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Pain and Cravings in Healthcare Workers
2 hours of self-applied EFT was used and a 90-day follow-up was completed by half of those attendees, with 61% reportedly using EFT after the conference. Significant improvements were found on all distress subscales and ratings of pain, emotional distress, and cravings at posttest after the conference and gains were maintained at follow-up for most of the psychological distress scales.
