A Feasibility Study: Emotional Freedom Techniques for Depression in Australian Adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to treat Major Depressive Disorder in an adult population by way of a therapeutic group setting. Adults were assigned to EFT group treatment for a period of eight weeks. Diagnostic assessment was completed immediately pre and post treatment using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. In addition to this, self-report assessments measuring symptomatic evidence of depression were completed by the participants before the treatment, after the treatment and at three month follow-up. Comparisons with a community group were made at pre and post intervention and three month follow-up. The results indicated a change in diagnosis in each of the participants, with data indicating an overall improvement for the treatment group for depressive symptoms. Study implications and limitations are discussed.

Emotional Freedom Techniques for Food Cravings in Overweight Adults: A Comparison of Treatment Length

“…EFT has now had 43 randomized controlled trials and 39 outcome studies published indicating a range of positive outcomes for conditions such as post traumatic stress disorder [27,28,29,30], generalized and specific anxiety, phobias, depression [31], and chronic pain [32]. A meta-analysis for anxiety disorders has found the pre-post effect size for the EFT treatment group was 1.23 (95% CI: 0.82-1.64, p < 0.001), while the effect size for combined controls was 0.41 (0.17-0.67, p = 0.001) [33].…”

The Emotional Freedom Technique: Finally, a Unifying Theory for the Practice of Holistic Nursing, or Too Good to Be True?

“…The diversity of psychological problems successfully treated include, but is not limited to, anxiety (Gaesser, 2014), addictions (Church & Brooks, 2014), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both individual and large-scale trauma events (Boath, Stewart, & Rolling, 2014; Church & Brooks, 2014; Church et al, 2013; Church & Feinstein, 2012; Church, Pina, Reategui, & Brooks, 2012; Connolly & Sakai, 2012; Dunnewold, 2014; Gallo, 2013; Gurret, Caufour, Palmer-Hoffman, & Church, 2012; Hartung & Stein, 2012; Karatzias et al, 2011; Lake, 2014; Robson & Robson, 2012; Sheldon, 2014; Stein & Brooks, 2011; Zhang, Feng, Xie, Xu, & Chen, 2011), dyslexia (McCallion, 2012), academic performance (Boath, Stewart, & Carrier, 2013; Jain & Rubino, 2012), weight loss and cravings (Church & Brooks, 2010; Stapleton, Sheldon, & Porter, 2012; Stapleton, Sheldon, Porter, & Whitty, 2010), depression (Church, De Asis, & Brooks, 2012; Stapleton, Church, Sheldon, Porter, & Carlopio, 2013; Stapleton, Devine, Chatwin, Porter, & Sheldon, 2014), and phobias (Baker & Siegel, 2010; Salas, Brooks, & Rowe, 2011; Temple & Mollon, 2011), including fear of public speaking (Fitch, Schmuldt, & Rudick, 2011; Jones, Thornton, & Andrews, 2011; Schoninger & Hartung, 2010). The use of EFT to intervene with physical conditions is just as widespread and diverse and includes diverse problems such as psoriasis (Hodge, 2011), seizure disorders (Swingle, 2010), fibromyalgia (Brattberg, 2008), headache (Bougea et al, 2013), and sports performance enhancement (Church, 2009; Church & Downs, 2012; Llewellyn-Edwards & Llewellyn-Edwards, 2012; Rotheram, Maynard, Thomas, Bawden, & Francis...…”