Although the evidence of EFT’s effectiveness is mounting in smaller studies, it is still being considered an “experimental” modality in some scientific circles. The so-called “anecdotal” evidence has neared overwhelming proportions with practitioner successes reported with many physical and emotional difficulties. Many of those are documented in narrative form and in studies with smaller numbers (or “n’s”); more systematic gathering of case studies on the effects of EFT on psychological/emotional difficulties is being developed through the ACEP (Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology) Research Committee, and larger studies are both being planned and are in process.
Some of the smaller research studies have appeared in professional, peer-reviewed journals. In addition, a larger-scale clinical trials of EFT’s effectiveness compared to more traditional psychotherapy techniques was done in clinical settings in South America; this work included nearly 30,000 people, with smaller sub-sets using control group experiments. A summary of a sub-set of 5,000 people diagnosed with anxiety disorder is presented below, along with a downloadable pdf version of the entire study. Additional selected research is also presented below, along with links to further information. Studies will continue to be added as the scientific world turns.
Phobias and EFT
One of the first studies to be published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology was by Steve Wells and others (2003). Phobias and fears are very common in the general population. Wells et al. examined the effectiveness of one session of EFT on subjects’ specific phobias about small animals. The study was done under what are considered laboratory conditions, in which 35 people were randomly assigned either to an EFT session or a deep breathing session. The statistical analysis demonstrated the EFT was more effective, with greater improvement in the EFT subjects than the deep breathing subjects across three self report measures. In addition, when the subjects were reassessed behaviorally 6 to 9 months after the initial treatment, those who received EFT had held their gains or even improved, demonstrating that in this case one EFT session for specific phobias was effective at the time, and also lasted.
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Wells, S., Polglase, K., Andrews, H., Carrington, P., & Baker, A.H. (2003). Evaluation of a Meridian-Based Intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for Reducing Specific Phobias of Small Animals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 59 (9). 943-966.
EFT and Automobile Accident Trauma
This study published in 2004 examined the effects of EFT on car accident victims who were exhibiting symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (this can include flashbacks, panic attacks and anxiety, nightmares, and other potentially debilitating symptoms). Participants in the study were given two EFT treatments within 24 days of a full physiological exam, and were asked to use EFT on their own in between the treatments. Results demonstrated that EFT helped diminish the PTSD symtoms. This particular study is also interesting because it includes data from the participants’ brain waves, as well as data from various psychological symptom tests and self-reports. An abstract of this study can be found here »
Swingle, P., Pulos, L., & Swingle, M..K. (2005). Neurophysiological indicators of EFT treatment of post-traumatic stress. Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, 15, l, 75-86.
A Large-Scale Tapping Study
Another study involving a total of over 5,000 people, all diagnosed with anxiety disorder, was undertaken across 11 allied treatment centers in South America. Below is a reprint of the paper’s summary by Joaquin Andrade, MD and David Feinstein, Ph.D, with a downloadable copy of the full paper in pdf format available at the end of the summary.
Preliminary Report of the First Large-Scale Study of Energy Psychology
The principal investigator was Joaquin Andrade, M.D. The report was written by Dr. Andrade and David Feinstein, Ph.D. The paper appears in Energy Psychology Interactive: An Integrated Book and CD Program for Learning the Fundamentals of Energy Psychology (Ashland, OR: Innersource, 2004) by David Feinstein in consultation with Fred P. Gallo, Donna Eden, and the Energy Psychology Interactive Advisory Board.
Summary
In preliminary clinical trials involving more than 29,000 patients from 11 allied treatment centers in South America during a 14-year period, a variety of randomized, double-blind pilot studies were conducted. In one of these, approximately 5,000 patients diagnosed at intake with an anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to an experimental group (tapping) or a control group (Cognitive Behavior Therapy/medication) using standard randomization tables and, later, computerized software. Ratings were given by independent clinicians who interviewed each patient at the close of therapy, at 1 month, at 3 months, at 6 months, and at 12 months. The raters made a determination of complete remission of symptoms, partial remission of symptoms, or no clinical response. The raters did not know if the patient received CBT/medication or tapping. They knew only the initial diagnosis, the symptoms, and the severity, as judged by the intake staff. At the close of therapy:
63% of the control group were judged as having improved.
90% of the experimental group were judged as having improved.
51% of the control group were judged as being symptom free.
76% of the experimental group were judged as symptom free.
At one-year follow-up, the patients receiving tapping treatments were less prone to relapse or partial relapse than those receiving CBT/medication, as indicated by the independent raters’ assessments and corroborated by brain imaging and neurotransmitter profiles. In a related pilot study by the same team, the length of treatment was substantially shorter with energy therapy and related methods than with CBT/medication (mean = 3 sessions vs. mean = 15 sessions).
If subsequent research corroborates these early findings, it will be a notable development since CBT/medication is currently the established standard of care for anxiety disorders and the greater effectiveness of the energy approach suggested by this study would be highly significant. The preliminary nature of these findings must, however, be emphasized. The study was initially envisioned as an in-house assessment of a new method and was not designed with publication in mind. Not all the variables that need to be controlled in robust research were tracked, not all criteria were defined with rigorous precision, the record-keeping was relatively informal, and source data were not always maintained. Nonetheless, the studies all used randomized samples, control groups, and double blind assessment. The findings were so striking that the team decided to report them.
Download a PDF version of the full paper by Drs. Andrade and Feinstein »