Borrowing Benefits: Group Treatment With Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Is Associated With Simultaneous Reductions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms

Abstract

Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety. The current study sought to elucidate the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in a nonclinical population. The sample (N = 81) comprised participants at five 2-day EFT workshops. All groups used an EFT protocol called Borrowing Benefits, in which the group facilitator works with a single client while other participants self-apply EFT. Participants were assessed on 9 specific conditions as well as on the breadth (Positive Symptom Total [PST]) and depth (General Symptom Index [GSI]) of psychological distress. Physical pain and addictive cravings were also assessed. Significant reductions were observed in all measures (P < .03). Associations between PST, GSI, and PTSD were significant (P < .026). Participants maintained all gains at 6-month follow-up (P < .02) with the exception of the Hostility subscale, while Cohen’s d = 0.54 indicated a moderate treatment effect for PTSD. The relationship between psychological and physiological conditions identified in this study is consistent with that found in other studies. Group treatment is cost-effective and efficient, and the efficacy of EFT in groups indicates the utility of the Borrowing Benefits technique.

The effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on nurses' stress, anxiety, and burnout levels during the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial

“…EFT has been applied in many areas in which individual psychotherapy is not practical, such as the aftermath of earthquakes and other natural disasters, following terrorist attacks, and refugee camps. 34 In the current study, a single group EFT session, within the convenience of online delivery, led to highly significant reductions stress, anxiety, and burnout scores.…”

Manfaat Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Bagi Pasien Dengan Gangguan Kecemasan

“…Church & House (2018) (10) EFT adalah pilihan utama yang tepat untuk mengobati kecemasan dan depresi yang terjadi secara bersamaan. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa kelompok pengobatan EFT lebih efisien dan hemat biaya.…”

“…Praktisi tidak perlu dilisensikan meskipun ketika berurusan dengan pasien dengan gejala Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), keselamatan peserta adalah yang terpenting. Dalam beberapa penelitian, pelatih atau sukarelawan, setelah dilakukan percobaan secara acak terkontrol untuk membandingkan hasil penerapan EFT pada peserta dan hasilnya para praktisi atau sukarelawan tersebut efektif dalam memberikan intervensi EFT meskipun tidak seefektif professional yang mempunyai lisensi (10) .…”

Guidelines for the Treatment of PTSD Using Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

“…Borrowing Benefits refers to the way that a group member’s SUD level on a pre-selected personal issue can be lowered by simply watching and tapping along as another group member is guided by the therapist in front of the group. Several studies show that Borrowing Benefits produces significant clinical gains in participants [53,54,55]. For instance, in a study of 218 veterans and their spouses, PTSD symptomology was evaluated before and after a seven-day retreat in which group sessions that utilized Borrowing Benefits were one of the core therapeutic activities [55].…”

“…When veterans have been successfully treated for PTSD, levels of traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms have also been reduced [60,61]. Emotion Freedom Technique group treatments of PTSD using the Borrowing Benefits method also found simultaneous reductions in depression and anxiety [53,54].…”