Neurophysiological Indicators of EFT Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress

April 7, 2015 Trauma

Study Explores Brain-Mapping and Effectiveness of Combining EFT and Neurotherapy for post-auto Accident Traumatic Stress

Citation: Swingle, P., Pulos, L., & Swingle, M. K. (2005). Neurophysiological Indicators of EFT Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress. Journal of Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine. 15, 75-86. Click here to read Abstract and Full Paper http://goo.gl/BYxT70

Abstract

Clients previously involved in a motor vehicle accident who reported traumatic stress associated with the accident received two sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) treatments. All clients reported improvement immediately following treatment. Brainwave assessments before and after EFT treatment indicated that clients who sustained the benefit of the EFT treatments had increased 13-15 Hz amplitude over the sensory motor cortex, decreased right frontal cortex arousal and an increased 3-7 Hz / 16-25 Hz ratio in the occiput. The benefits of psychoneurological research to reveal the processes of subtle energy healing are discussed.

Editor’s Note

In this study, 10 adults who had within the past year been in an auto accident and were continuing to suffer from reported moderate to severe traumatic stress as a result of the accident were selected for inclusion into the study. They “were brain mapped using a Quantitative Electroencephalograph (QEEG). At the time of the initial QEEG the participants also completed questionnaires to access anxiety, depression, and avoidance of driving/riding in a motor vehicle. After EFT treatment, participants were again brain mapped and completed a second set of questionnaires to assess the same factors as measured on the first questionnaires.” After the initial assessment, 2 EFT sessions were given to each of the ten volunteers in the study. SUDs ratings significantly dropped post EFT intervention (mean 5.8 points on a Likert 0-10 scale).

“The group of clients treated with EFT divided almost equally into a group of clients who reported positive change and those who reported no or negative change. Interestingly, all reported positive change immediately after EFT treatment but four of the nine clients reported no or negative changes at the time of the last brain assessment. Those who improved had significantly greater Theta/Beta ratio changes in the occipital region of the brain, increased SMR amplitude over the sensory motor cortex and increased arousal of the left frontal lobe (relative to the right) as compared with the unimproved group of clients.” The authors hypothesize that the improved subjects may have been more compliant with treatment recommendations whereas the unimproved clients were not.

The authors conclude that “Neurotherapeutic treatment of disorders such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety, pain, and the like would seem to be potentiated by EFT. The data indicate that the changes in brainwave activity resulting from EFT treatments are consistent with neurological changes that occur with neurotherapy.”