The present study reports on the first ever controlled comparison between eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and emotional freedom techniques (EFT) for posttraumatic stress disorder. A total of 46 participants were randomized to either EMDR (n = 23) or EFT (n = 23). The participants were assessed at baseline and then reassessed after an 8-week waiting period. Two further blind assessments were conducted at posttreatment and 3-months follow-up. Overall, the results indicated that both interventions produced significant therapeutic gains at posttreatment and follow-up in an equal number of sessions. Similar treatment effect sizes were observed in both treatment groups. Regarding clinical significant changes, a slightly higher proportion of patients in the EMDR group produced substantial clinical changes compared with the EFT group. Given the speculative nature of the theoretical basis of EFT, a dismantling study on the active ingredients of EFT should be subject to future research.
Comparison Studies
This area represents the comparison studies including EFT. Explore by title below. Where the paper is available free of charge in an open access journal, you can download it and use freely (on website, social media, newsletters). If it is behind a pay wall, you can freely share the abstract and reference but cannot share the full article, due to copyright.
Randomised Controlled Study Comparing Two Psychological Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) vs. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Abstract
Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological reaction after traumatic events. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) as treatments for PTSD with traumatised people.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used. Sixty Iraqi students were selected who met the DSM-IV PTSD criteria. Participants were male students who were aged between 16-19 years. Participants were randomly divided into three groups, with 20 participants in each group. Those in the EFT and NET groups received 4 therapy sessions, while the control group received no treatment. One person from the NET group withdrew. All participants were assessed on PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression, social support.
Results: The results showed that the participants who received EFT reported a significant difference in all PTSD cluster at pre-test and post-test from T1 to T2 (p>0.05). However, although the NET group reported a significant difference between pre-test and posttest in avoidance and re-experience, no significant difference was found in hyper arousal (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in the experiential group with social support, coping strategies, and religious coping (p<0.05). These changes of PTSD, PTSD clusters, anxiety and depression remained stable for 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups in EFT group, while these changes were unstable during the follow-ups. Measures of coping strategies showed that seeking support and active coping improved since the interventions. In conclusion, both EFT and NET showed their effectiveness among traumatised Iraqi people.
Citation (APA Style): Al-Hadethe, A., Hunt, N., Ghaffar, A., and Thomas, S. (2015). Randomised controlled study comparing two psychological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: emotional freedom technique (EFT) vs. narrative exposure therapy (NET). J. Traumatic Stress Disord. Treat. 4, 1–12. doi: 10.4172/2324-8947.1000145
Secondary Psychological Outcomes in a Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings
Abstract
Objective: Examining the effectiveness of psychological interventions in treating secondary psychological outcomes of obesity has become prioritized in recent times. The objective of the present study was to compare an eight-week Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) intervention program, in the treatment of food cravings and secondary psychological outcomes among overweight or obese adults (N = 83).
Method: A controlled non-inferiority trial was performed comparing group-delivered CBT to group-delivered EFT. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire at pre- and post-intervention, and at six and 12-months follow-up.
Results: The CBT group did not report any significant changes in anxiety scores over time, but the decrease in depression symptoms pre-to post-intervention was significant and this was maintained at 6-and 12-months. Anxiety and depression scores significantly decreased from pre-to post-intervention for the EFT group, and was maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Somatoform scores significantly decreased from pre-intervention to all follow-up points for the CBT group, while the EFT group did not report any significant changes in somatoform symptoms. Results also revealed that EFT is capable of producing reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms, and may be comparable to gold standard approaches such as CBT.
Conclusion: The current study supports the hypothesis that psychological intervention is beneficial for treating psychological comorbidities of obesity and points to the role mental health issues may play in this area.
Citation (APA Style): Stapleton, P., Bannatyne, A., Chatwin, H., Urzi, K.-C., Porter, B., and Sheldon, T. (2017). Secondary psychological outcomes in a controlled trial of emotional freedom techniques and cognitive behaviour therapy in the treatment of food cravings. Complement. Ther. Clin. Prac. 28, 136–145. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.06.004
Direct link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388116301451?via%3Dihub
Food for Thought: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings
Abstract
Addressing the internal determinants of dysfunctional eating behaviours (e.g. food cravings) in the prevention and treatment of obesity has been increasingly recognised. This study compared Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for food cravings in adults who were overweight or obese (N = 83) in an 8-week intervention. Outcome data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-months follow-up. Overall, EFT and CBT demonstrated comparable efficacy in reducing food cravings, one's responsiveness to food in the environment (power of food), and dietary restraint, with Cohen's effect size values suggesting moderate to high practical significance for both interventions. Results also revealed that both EFT and CBT are capable of producing treatment effects that are clinically meaningful, with reductions in food cravings, the power of food, and dietary restraint normalising to the scores of a non-clinical community sample. While reductions in BMI were not observed, the current study supports the suggestion that psychological interventions are beneficial for food cravings and both CBT and EFT could serve as vital adjunct tools in a multidisciplinary approach to managing obesity.
Citation (APA Style): Stapleton, P., Bannatyne, A. J., Urzi, K.-C., Porter, B., and Sheldon, T. (2016a). Food for thought: a randomised controlled trial of emotional freedom techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of food cravings. Appl. Psychol. Health Well Being 8, 232–257. doi: 10.1111/aphw.12070
Direct link: https://iaap-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aphw.12070
A Randomized Controlled Comparison of Emotional Freedom Technique and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Adolescent Anxiety: A Pilot Study
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to compare the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with that of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing adolescent anxiety.
Design: Randomized controlled study.
Settings: This study took place in 10 schools (8 public/2 private; 4 high schools/6 middle schools) in 2 northeastern states in the United States.
Participants: Sixty-three high-ability students in grades 6–12, ages 10–18 years, who scored in the moderate to high ranges for anxiety on the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-2 (RCMAS-2) were randomly assigned to CBT (n = 21), EFT (n = 21), or waitlist control (n = 21) intervention groups.
Interventions: CBT is the gold standard of anxiety treatment for adolescent anxiety. EFT is an evidence-based treatment for anxiety that incorporates acupoint stimulation. Students assigned to the CBT or EFT treatment groups received three individual sessions of the identified protocols from trained graduate counseling, psychology, or social work students enrolled at a large northeastern research university.
Outcome measures: The RCMAS-2 was used to assess preintervention and postintervention anxiety levels in participants.
Results: EFT participants (n = 20; M = 52.16, SD = 9.23) showed significant reduction in anxiety levels compared with the waitlist control group (n = 21; M = 57.93, SD = 6.02) (p = 0.005, d = 0.74, 95% CI [−9.76, −1.77]) with a moderate to large effect size. CBT participants (n = 21; M = 54.82, SD = 5.81) showed reduction in anxiety but did not differ significantly from the EFT (p = 0.18, d = 0.34; 95% CI [−6.61, 1.30]) or control (p = 0.12, d = 0.53, 95% CI [−7.06, .84]).
Conclusions: EFT is an efficacious intervention to significantly reduce anxiety for high-ability adolescents.
Citation (APA Style): Gaesser, A. H., and Karan, O. C. (2017). A randomized controlled comparison of EFT and cognitive-behavioral therapy to reduce adolescent anxiety: a pilot study. J. Alternative Complement. Med. 23, 102–108. doi: 10.1089/acm.2015.0316
Direct link: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2015.0316
A Controlled Comparison of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Two Psychological Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing vs. Emotional Freedom Techniques
Abstract
Citation (APA Style): Karatzias, T., Power, K., Brown, K., McGoldrick, T., Begum, M., Young, J., et al. (2011). A controlled comparison of the effectiveness and efficiency of two psychological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: eye movement desensitization and reprocessing vs. emotional freedom techniques. J. Nervous Mental Dis. 199, 372–378. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31821cd262
Direct link: https://journals.lww.com/jonmd/abstract/2011/06000/a_controlled_comparison_of_the_effectiveness_and.3.aspx
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Emotional Freedom Technique in Reducing Anxiety and Depression in Indian Adults
Abstract
WHO places Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), or depression, as the fourth leading cause of mental disability world-wide. According to a survey done by WHO in February 2017, found 7.5% of Indians suffer from major or minor mental disorders requiring expert intervention. National Mental Health Survey of India in 2015-2016 reports that one in 20 Indians suffer from Depression especially women in the age-group of 40-49 years suffers more. Earlier research indicated that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) represents a superior approach in treating mild to severe depression symptoms. Whereas Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has received increased attention. The present study is in line with a study conducted in Australia in 2016 by Hannah Chatwin et al. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of CBT and EFT in the treatment of anxiety and depression in Indian adults. Random subjects (n = 10) were selected from Ahmedabad (a metro city) in India who were screened positive for anxiety disorder and depression using Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS21) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2). These subjects were randomly assigned to an 8 week CBT or EFT treatment program with 1 session per week. All participants were screened after 3 sessions, 5 sessions, 8 sessions and after 1 month of follow up using DASS21 and BDI2. Findings of the study depict that both intervention approaches produce significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. The EFT treatment produced marked improvement in depression after 3 sessions. After 8 weeks of intervention, the CBT group reported significant improvement in depression while EFT intervention therapy showed significant results after 1 month of follow up. Examination of individual cases showed clinically significant improvement in anxiety and depression across both interventions. The results are consistent with the previous studies by Hannah Chatwin et al. (2016). Present findings suggest that EFT is of paramount importance as pivotal tool in managing anxiety and depression in Indian population.
Citation (APA Style): Jasubhai, S., and Mukundan, C. R. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy and emotional freedom techniques in reducing anxiety and depression in Indian adults. Int. J. Emerg. Mental Health 20, 403–441. doi: 10.4172/1522-4821.1000403
The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques in Reducing Depression and Anxiety Among Adults: A Pilot Study
Abstract
Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) places major depressive disorder (MDD), or depression, as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. Some studies have found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents the most superior approach in treating mild to severe symptoms. Recent literature has indicated a number of limitations to this therapeutic approach. An approach that has received increasing attention within the literature is the emotional freedom technique (EFT).
Objective: The current pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT and EFT in the treatment of depression and comorbid anxiety.
Design: The research team designed a pilot study structured as a randomized, controlled trial with 2 intervention arms.
Setting: The study took place at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Participants: Participants (n = 10) were local community members who had screened positive for a primary diagnosis of MDD.
Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to an 8-wk CBT or EFT treatment program, the intervention groups. A sample of individuals from the community was assessed for comparative purposes (control group) (n = 57).
Outcome measures: Pre- and postintervention, all participants were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 6.0, and they completed the following validated questionnaires: (1) the Beck Depression Inventory, second edition (BDI-2) and (2) the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21).
Results: Findings revealed that both treatment approaches produced significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with the CBT group reporting a significant reduction postintervention, which was not maintained with time. The EFT group reported a delayed effect involving a significant reduction in symptoms at the 3- and 6-mo follow-ups only. Examination of the individual cases revealed clinically significant improvements in anxiety across both interventions.
Conclusions: Overall, the findings provide evidence to suggest that EFT might be an effective treatment strategy worthy of further investigation.
Citation (APA Style): Chatwin, H., Stapleton, P., Porter, B., Devine, S., and Sheldon, T. (2016). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy and emotional freedom techniques in reducing depression and anxiety among adults: a pilot study. Integr. Med. Clin. J. 15, 27–34.
Direct link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4898279/
Efficacy of Two Evidence-Based Therapies, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), for the Treatment of Gender Violence in the Congo: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Psychological trauma in the aftermath of sexual violence is a persistent problem in both developing and developed nations, and appropriate treatment techniques are needed to address the special needs of this population. The objective of this study was to assess whether two evidence-based therapeutic methods for PTSD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), are efficacious for sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). Participants were 50 internally displaced female refugees who had been victims of SGBV in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They were assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25), which measures general mental health. Participants received two 2-1/2 hour treatment sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks (eight sessions total). Assessments occurred before and after treatment, and 6 months later. Participants demonstrated significant posttest improvement in both groups on both measures. Follow-up assessments showed that participants maintained their gains over time whether treated with EFT or CBT. The results are consistent with earlier trials, and indicate that both EFT and CBT are efficacious when delivered in group format, as well as being effective treatments for SGBV in the setting of a developing nation.
Citation (APA Style): Nemiro, A., and Papworth, S. (2015). Efficacy of two evidence-based therapies, emotional freedom technique (EFT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of gender violence in the Congo: a randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychol. Theory Res. Treat. 7, 13–25. doi: 10.9769/EPJ.2015.7.2.AN
Comparison of Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotional Freedom Technique in Reducing Anxiety in Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the three
therapeutic effects of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
(EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom
Technique (EFT) in reducing anxiety in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD).
Method: Method was quasi-experimental with three
experimental groups, one control group and pre-test, post-test and a twomonth
follow-up. The statistical population was 486 patients referred to
Kerman Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital in 2018. 60 men were selected in
purposeful sampling method and randomly assigned to four groups of 15. In
group 1, six 45-minute sessions of Shapiro solo EMDR (2014) were
performed. In group 2 six 60-minute sessions of group CBT of Dugas &
Robichaud (2007) were performed. And in group 3 six 60-minute sessions
solo EFT of Church (2014) were performed. All the Four groups completed
the Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg & Jacobs's Anxiety Inventory (1983)
in three stages. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance.
Results: Results in group 1showed that at the level of 99% confidence, state anxiety
(F = 42.36) and trait (F = 12.66), in group 2, state anxiety (F = 5.38) and trait
and in group 3, state anxiety (F = 15.23) and trait (F = 18.50) were reduced.
This effect remained stable at follow-up stage. In addition, among the three
methods, EMDR was more effective on state anxiety than the other two
interventions (P= 0.015). Conclusion: Since, all the three methods can
improve behavioral strategies by influencing irrational thoughts and
Citation (APA Style): Baghini, A., Mohammadtehrani, H., Behbodi, M., and Kiamanesh, A. R. (2020). Comparison of effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EFT in reducing anxiety in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Q. Appl. Psychol. 13, 625–665. doi: 10.29252/APSY.13.4.625
Direct link: https://apsy.sbu.ac.ir/article_97288.html?lang=en
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques for Chronic Pain: Live Versus Self-Paced Delivery with 6-Month Follow-Up
Abstract
Background
Chronic pain represents a major global healthcare crisis, and current treatments are limited in effectiveness and safety. Emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) show promise as a potential psychological treatment.
Methods
The current study investigated the effect of a randomized clinical trial of EFT for chronic pain in a sample of 147 adult chronic pain sufferers (89.9% female; mean 54.63 years). Participants engaged in a 6-week EFT programme (either online self-paced or in-person).
Results
The per-protocol analysis indicated pain severity and interference scores were significantly lower at the end of treatment for the EFT group compared to waitlist, and these were sustained at follow-up. There were no differences between the in-person or self-paced programmes at follow-up for pain severity and interference. Somatic symptoms were significantly lower after EFT, although no further differences at follow-up. Quality of life scores were significantly higher after EFT, which were sustained at follow-up, and no differences between two styles of programme. No significant effects were found for anxiety, depression, happiness or satisfaction with life across the 6-week programmes for either style of delivery or at follow-up. These are discussed in terms of clinical score meanings. Intent-to-treat analysis was consistent with the per-protocol analyses. Limitations of the study are identified and future directions are discussed.
Conclusions
Findings offer early promise for EFT as a potentially effective pain management strategy, as well as support for online intervention without compromising treatment outcomes.
Citation (APA Style): Stapleton, P., Wilson, C., Uechtritz, N., Stewart, M., McCosker, M., O’Keefe, T., & Blanchard, M. (2024). A randomized clinical trial of emotional freedom techniques for chronic pain: Live versus self-paced delivery with 6-month follow-up. European Journal of Pain, 00, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.4740
Direct link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejp.4740