The Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Sebastian, Brenda; Nelms, Jerrod

doi:10.1016/j.explore.2016.10.001

Cited by 70 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…17 A meta-analysis of six RCTs of EFT for PTSD found a large effect size across the studies. 25 EFT was a core intervention in two large multimodal programs treating PTSD in veterans or active military. Two hundred and eighteen male veterans and their spouses participated in one of six week-long retreats, with 83% of the veterans and 29% of the spouses initially scoring above the PTSD cutoff on a standardized PTSD checklist.…”

Section: Eft With Veterans and Active Militarymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques

Church¹,

Feinstein

2017

Medical Acupuncture

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The manual stimulation of acupuncture points has been combined with components of cognitive and exposure therapies into a clinical and self-help approach known as Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). More than 40 clinical trials and four meta-analytic reviews of EFT treatments have demonstrated large effect sizes with a range of conditions, including pain, PTSD (in both civilian and military veteran populations), phobias, anxiety, and depression. This review describes the approach, with a focus on PTSD in veterans and service members, provides an overview of how EFT is most commonly applied, and outlines obstacles and cautions related to its implementation. Peer-reviewed clinical trials and meta-analyses of EFT in the treatment of PTSD are assessed to identify the characteristics of the approach that render it suitable for the treatment of PTSD. The literature demonstrates that remediation of PTSD and comorbid conditions is typically accomplished within brief time frames, ranging from one session for phobias to between four and ten sessions for PTSD. Clinical EFT has been shown to regulate stress hormones and limbic function and to improve various neurologic markers of general health. The epigenetic effects of EFT include upregulation of immunity genes and downregulation of inflammation genes. Six dismantling studies have indicated that the acupressure component of EFT is an active ingredient and not placebo. Seven empirically supported strengths of the approach were identified that make it especially suitable for use with veterans and active military: (1) the depth and breadth of treatment effects; (2) the relatively brief timeframes required for successful treatment; (3) the low risk of adverse events; (4) the minimal training time required for the approach to be applied effectively; (5) the simultaneous reduction of physical and psychologic symptoms; (6) the utility and cost-effectiveness of clinical EFT in a large group format; and (7) the method's adaptability to online and telemedicine applications.

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Section: Eft With Veterans and Active Militarymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques

Church¹,

Feinstein

2017

Medical Acupuncture

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“…For general psychological conditions outside food cravings, several meta analyses have found a very large treatment effect for anxiety (d = 1.23 95% CI: 0.82-1.64, p < 0.001), a very large effect size in the treatment of depression (Cohen's d across all studies was 1.31) [23], and a large treatment effect (weighted Cohen's d = 2.96, 95% CI 1.96-3.97; p < 0.001) for post-traumatic stress disorder [24]. Research has also indicated treatment gains persist over time [25][26][27][28][29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

Stapleton¹,

Buchan²,

Mitchell

et al. 2018

obm icm

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Background: This pilot randomised clinical trial investigated the effect of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on brain activation in response to food craving stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging. EFT is a brief stress reduction technique which involves stating a cognitive statement with stimulation of acupressure points with a tapping technique. Method: Fifteen overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week group EFT treatment or control condition and completed a measure of food craving. Random repeating images of high-calorie food designed to engage parts of the brain were presented during the pre and post fMRI scans. Results:The Group x Time interaction for food cravings were significant for the EFT group when compared to the controls. Participant mean scores decreased by 18% for the EFT group and 5% for the control group. Brain activity was mapped using fMRI measures, and there was relative deactivation in the Superior Temporal Gyrus and lateral orbito-frontal cortex for the EFT treatment group only. The control group however, showed continued activation in these areas. Conclusion: The findings indicated EFT may decrease limbic region brain activity and reduce food related symptoms in overweight/obese individuals. This study also illuminates the neurological mechanisms at work behind the many successful outcome studies of EFT for weight loss. Recommendations for more comprehensive trials are discussed.

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“…2 Additionally, so far five meta-analyses have been published that reveal moderate to mostly strong. [3][4][5][6][7] Also, my colleagues and I have similarly treated thousands of clients suffering from intense traumas, PTSD, and other emotionally-charged disorders. The results are generally achieved efficiently and without the client having to experience distress during the process.…”

Section: Reflectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient treatments for trauma/PTSD: harnessing the power of bioenergy to efficiently treat psychological distress

Gallo¹

2018

MOJPH

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The Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Cited by 70 publications

References 43 publications

The Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques

The Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

Efficient treatments for trauma/PTSD: harnessing the power of bioenergy to efficiently treat psychological distress

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