Research
The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT
Church, D. (2009). The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): A Pilot Protocol. Traumatology, March 15:1.
Abstract
With a large number of US military service personnel coming back from Iraq with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a variety of associated psychological problems, a need exists to find protocols and treatments that are effective for these conditions in brief treatment timeframes. In this study, a sample of 11 veterans and family members were assessed for PTSD and other conditions. Evaluations were made using standard psychological evaluations, the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment 45) and the PCL-M (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – Military). The study used a time-series, within-subjects, repeated measures design. A baseline measurement was obtained thirty days prior to treatment, and immediately before treatment began. Subjects were then treated with a brief and novel exposure therapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), for five days with 2 to 3 hours of treatment per day. 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. 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.
Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in individuals with fibromyalgia: a randomized trial By Gunilla Brattberg, MD
Brattberg, G. (2008). Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in individuals with fibromyalgia: a randomized trial. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, August/September.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine if self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) leads to reduced pain perception, increased acceptance, coping ability and health-related quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia. 86 women, diagnosed with fibromyalgia and on sick leave for at least 3 months, were randomly assigned to a treatment group or a waiting list group. An eight-week EFT treatment program was administered via the Internet.
Upon completion of the program, statistically significant improvements were observed in the intervention group (n=26) in comparison with the waiting list group (n=36) for variables such as pain, anxiety, depression, vitality, social function, mental health, performance problems involving work or other activities due to physical as well as emotional reasons, and stress symptoms. Pain catastrophizing measures, such as rumination, magnification and helplessness, were significantly reduced, and the activity level was significantly increased. The number needed to treat (NNT) regarding recovering from anxiety was 3. NNT for depression was 4.
Self-administered EFT seems to be a good complement to other treatments and rehabilitation programs. The sample size was small and the dropout rate was high. Therefore the surprisingly good results have to be interpreted with caution. However, it would be of interest to further study this simple and easily accessible self-administered treatment method, which can even be taught over the Internet
The Effect of a Brief EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Self-Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Pain and Cravings in Healthcare Workers
Church, D. (2008a). The effect of a brief EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) self-intervention on anxiety, depression, pain and cravings in healthcare workers. Presented at Science and Consciousness, the Tenth Annual Energy Psychology Conference, Toronto, Oct 24.
Abstract
This study examined a cross section of 194 healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, psychotherapists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, alternative medicine practitioners, and allied professionals. It examined whether self-intervention with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a brief exposure therapy that combines a cognitive and a somatic element, had an effect on subjects’ levels of anxiety, depression, and other psychological symptoms. The study utilizes a within-subjects, time-series, repeated measures design. It evaluates symptoms using the SA-45, a well-validated 45 item questionnaire. Besides measuring the breadth and intensity of psychological distress, this instrument has nine subscales for specific conditions, including anxiety and depression. It was administered to subjects before and after an EFT demonstration and self-application that lasted about 90 minutes. Subjects also self-reported physical pain, emotional distress, and cravings on a 10 point Likert-type scale. The SA-45 followup was administered 3 months later, to determine whether any improvement held over time. Subjects received a single page homework EFT reminder sheet, and their frequency of practice was tracked at followup. EFT self-application resulted in statistically significant decreases in pain, emotional distress, and cravings, and improvements for all nine subscales. On the two general scales on the SA-45, symptom severity dropped by 34%, and symptom breadth by 40% relative to normal baselines (both p<.001). Pain scores dropped by 68%, the intensity of traumatic memories by 83%, and cravings by 83% (all p<.001).
The Effect of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on Psychological Symptoms in Addiction Treatment
Church, D. (2008e). The Effect of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on Psychological Symptoms in Addiction Treatment. Presented at Science and Consciousness, the Tenth Annual Energy Psychology Conference, Toronto, Oct 24.
Abstract
Research has noted frequent co-occurrence of psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression with addiction. This study examined the psychological conditions of 28 adults at an addictions workshop at which participants learned EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), a widely practiced form of energy psychology. Subjects were evaluated using a short form of the SCL-90-R, (the SA-45), a 45 item questionnaire that has been well validated in other studies. As well as measuring the intensity and breadth of symptoms on two global scales, the SA-45 has nine subscales for such conditions such as anxiety, depression, and hostility. The study employed a time-series, within-subjects repeated measures design to evaluate symptoms at the start of the workshop, at the end of the workshop, and, to determine long-term effects, 90 days later. A statistically significant decrease in the two global scales, the global severity index and positive symptom total, as well as the anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptom scales was observed with gains maintained at follow-up. Improvement in somatization was found at posttest only, while improvement in interpersonal sensitivity occurred at the 90-day follow-up. These findings suggest EFT may be an effective adjunct to addiction treatment by reducing the severity of general psychological distress, and in particular, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This study is limited by the small sample size, lack of a control group, and exploratory nature.
Measuring Physiological Markers of Emotional Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mind-Body Therapies
Church, D. (2008c). Measuring Physiological Markers of Emotional Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mind-Body Therapies. Paper presented at tenth annual ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology) conference, May.
Abstract
The effect of emotional trauma on physiological functioning has been documented in a number of studies. Unresolved trauma, even 50 years subsequent to traumatization, has been correlated with higher rates of bone fractures, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other ailments. The current study examines the reverse correlation, to determine whether the treatment of emotional trauma has an effect on physiological function. It examined the range of motion (ROM) of the shoulders of subjects with clinically verified joint impairments, which typically take months or years to resolve, in five different planes of arm movement. Psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression were measured using a 45 question self-assessment, the SA-45. Pain was measured on a 10 point Likert-type scale. Subjects received a single 30 minute intervention after being randomized into either an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) group (16 subjects) or a Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB) group (18 subjects). Thirteen subjects served as a no treatment baseline control group. Subjects demonstrated significant improvement in psychological symptoms and ROM in both the DB and EFT groups. Results for pain were better in the EFT group, and further improved on 30 day post-test. ROM for both groups continued to improve post-test, but were greater for the EFT group.
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