EFT Research and Publications
This area represents the clinical research conducted on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Explore by topic below or use the search function. 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.
Clinical research trials usually require 100+ participants and thus not every disorder, illness, symptom, concern has been researched. This is especially true of rare or less prevalent concerns. This does not mean EFT would not be effective or supportive in those cases, and many practitioners may still incorporate EFT in their private practices for such concerns.
Research also requires intensive support (people power and financial support) to be conducted, which means even with 100s of participants with a certain condition, a clinical trial may never occur. You also require academics and clinicians with the time, space and interest to dedicate 2+ years to a trial.
Dr Peta Stapleton has spent 20+ years conducting research trials in EFT to date, and these take more than 2 years per trial to allow for followup and analysis, writing. All current trials are listed here and you are welcome to join any that are open https://www.worldwideclinicalresearch.com/
Dr Peta Stapleton's personal research page is here https://research.bond.edu.au/en/persons/peta-stapleton
The studies here include:
- Outcome Studies that assess results such as pain levels or depressive symptoms by comparing them either between two different groups or within the same individuals before and after receiving EFT.
- Clinical Reports that include outcomes but also practitioner suggestions for intervention effectiveness.
- Mechanism Papers that explore and explain the underlying biological or physiological processes that drive the EFT treatment response.
- Meta Analyses and Review articles that combine the results of multiple independent studies on a specific topic to provide a more precise estimate of the overall effect or outcome of EFT.
Overview of Clinical Reports
Overview of Outcome Studies
Overview of Review Papers
Overview of Meta Analyses
Overview of Dismantling Studies
Research Areas
PTSD and Trauma
Explore all the EFT research on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma here.
Cravings, Addictions and Weight Loss
Explore all the EFT research on weight loss, food cravings and addiction issues here.
Children, Youth and Adolescents
Explore all the EFT research on children, youth and adolescents.
Depression
Explore all the EFT research on depression symptoms and disorders here.
Anxiety and Stress
Explore all the EFT research on stress and anxiety disorders and symptoms here.
Serious Illnesses
Explore all the EFT research on serious illnesses here.
Overall Health and Wellbeing
Explore all the EFT research on overall health and wellbeing.
Phobias
Explore all the EFT research on phobias here.
Sport
Explore all the EFT research on sport, athletes and performance here.
Body Image and Disordered Eating
These are the studies published on body image and disordered eating.
Practitioner Skills
Explore all the EFT research on practitioner skills.
Online and App Based
These are all of the online and app based EFT studies.
Pain and Physical Symptoms
Explore all the EFT research on pain and physical symptoms.
Cancer
These are the studies published on cancer and EFT.
The Primo Vascular System and Meridians
These are the studies published on the primo vascular system and meridians.
Mechanism Papers
Biochemistry Papers
These studies have specifically looked at the biochemistry changes after EFT.
DNA Papers
These studies have specifically looked at the DNA and gene changes after EFT.
fMRI and EEG Papers
These studies have specifically looked at the brain changes after EFT using fMRI.
Meta Analyses Papers
PTSD
These are the meta analyses published on PTSD and EFT.
Depression
These are the meta analyses published on depression and EFT.
Anxiety
These are the meta analyses published on anxiety and EFT.
Other Important Studies
Review Papers
These are all of the published EFT review papers.
Dismantling Studies
Explore all of the dismantling studies on EFT.
Comparison Studies
These are all of the published comparison studies.
Growth and Acceptance
- 2014–2016: 2 meta-analyses show energy psychology effective for depression and anxiety
- 2017: Meta-analysis shows EFT effective for PTSD
- 2019: Meta analysis shows tapping on the acupressure points is an active ingredient in the process (changes not due to the therapeutic relationship, other factors such as deep breathing etc)
- 2018-2019: Two studies on DNA changes after EFT First fMRI study on EFT published
- 2019: Blue Knot Foundation for (trauma) includes EFT in PTSD clinical guidelines in Australia
- 2020: EFT approved under the National Insurance Disability Scheme NDIS) for therapy in Australia 2020: Australian Psychological Society features EFT during National Psychology Week as emerging approach for pain
- 2020: APA journal (USA) published EFT cortisol replication study
- 2020: A major review of psychological treatments for PTSD – Energy psychology (combined somatic/cognitive therapies) was the 2nd most effective at reducing PTSD symptoms at the end of treatment to waitlist (after EMDR which was found to be most effective). Further, energy psychology had the greatest cost savings over no treatment, followed by EMDR, trauma-focused CBT and then other treatments
- 2021: APA approved EFT to be reviewed for trauma and PTSD and inclusion on the evidence based psychological treatments list