The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT

April 3, 2015 PTSD, Trauma

Citation: Church, D. (2010b). The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT: A Pilot Protocol. Traumatology, 15(1), 45-55. Click here to view Abstract http://goo.gl/PHu67i

Abstract

With a large number of U.S. military service personnel coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid psychological conditions, a need exists to find protocols and treatments that are effective in brief treatment time frames. In this study, a sample of 11 veterans and family members were assessed for PTSD and other conditions. Evaluations were made using the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment 45) and the PCL-M (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist—Military) using a time-series, within-subjects, repeated measures design. A baseline measurement was obtained 30 days prior to treatment and immediately before treatment. Participants were then treated with a brief and novel exposure therapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), for 5 days. Statistically significant improvements in the SA-45 and PCL-M scores were found at posttest. These gains were maintained at both the 30- and 90-day follow-ups on the general symptom index, positive symptom total, and the anxiety, somatization, phobic anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity subscales of the SA-45, and on PTSD. The remaining SA-45 scales improved posttest but were not consistently maintained at the 30-and 90-day follow-ups. One-year follow-up data were obtained for 7 of the participants and the same improvements were observed. In summary, after EFT treatment, the group no longer scored positive for PTSD, the severity and breadth of their psychological distress decreased significantly, and most of their gains held over time. This suggests that EFT can be an effective post-deployment intervention.

Editor’s Note

This small study if 11 veterans and family members were evaluated using psychological distress and PTSD-military stress questionnaire tools and evaluated for PTSD criteria. They were evaluated prior to 5 days of EFT treatment immediately 30 days prior. Immediately prior, immediately following and then again at 30 and 90 days later. The results showed statistical improvements on a wide variety of score measurements (see abstract). This study was able to follow 7 of the subjects at a 1 year follow up, who showed continued improvements over that length of time.

Note: The original paper was not reviewed by this author and so greater specifics as to methodology and statistical analysis was no available to make note of.