There is a growing body of research pointing to the efficacy of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

In recent years, EFT is gaining a wider recognition within the mainstream psychotherapy and medical community, for example, the NHS in the United Kingdom. As of 2021, over 200 studies, review articles and meta-analyses have been published in professional, peer reviewed journals.

The evidence base for energy psychology/EFT continues to grow in quantity and quality. As of 2020, there are 18 randomised control trials, 50+ randomised control trials, 50+ pre-post outcome studies, and 50+ trials in non-English journals.

• 2014–2016: 3 meta-analyses show energy psychology effective for depression and anxiety
• 2017: Meta-analysis shows EFT effective for PTSD
• 2018-2019: Two studies on DNA changes after EFT First fMRI study on EFT published
• 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)
• 2019: The Blue Knot Foundation in Australia includes EFT in PTSD clinical guidelines
• 2020: EFT is approved under the National Insurance Disability Scheme (NDIS) for therapy in Australia
• 2020: Australian Psychological Society features EFT during National Psychology Week as an emerging approach for pain
• 2020: APA journal (USA) published EFT cortisol replication study
• 2021: APA approved EFT to be reviewed for trauma and PTSD and inclusion on the evidence based psychological treatments list.

Below are some links to news articles, science and research on EFT:

EFT on the BBC News

Professor Tony Stewart, a specialist in public health, talks about the efficacy of EFT with his patients on BBC News:

A randomized controlled trial

The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on depression of postmenopausal women

From the journal of the APA (American Psychological Association)

Reexamining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. This is a replicated study.

Research by Bond University Australia

Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health

EFT for PTSD

PTSD Treated Successfully in 10 Sessions or Less
Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest hospital systems in the US, taking care of more than 10 million patients each year. Kaiser’s peer-reviewed publication, The Permanente Journal, recently published practice guidelines for using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with patients diagnosed with PTSD (Church, Stern et al., 2017).

Uses of Energy Psychology Following Catastrophic Events
A large percentage of survivors from the growing number of extreme weather events (e.g. floods, typhoons, landslides) and human-made disasters (e.g. crime, mass shootings, war) suffer symptoms of PTSD. Energy psychology methods like EFT tapping are a remarkably effective treatment, as shown in a review of the scientific evidence by psychologist David Feinstein.

EFT for Sports Performance:

Read about Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the catcher for the Boston Red Sox, who used EFT to up his game, or watch him talk about it in this clip:

Increased use by athletes of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) – The Sport Journal, USA

An article in The Telegraph

Beverley Turner, writing for The Telegraph, relates her experience of attending an EFT course. She calls it Tapping therapy: curing physical and mental problems

EFT in the Mainstream

Psychologist David Feinstein published a review article of 18 randomized controlled trials of “Acupoint Stimulation in Treating Psychological Disorders” in the Review of General Psychology, an American Psychological Association (APA) journal.

The APA (American Psychological Association) has granted continuing education credits for psychologists to study EFT tapping, also known as energy psychology.

Energy Psychology and physical conditions

Research demonstrates, time and again, that energy psychology methods can very effectively address anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress. Even more strikingly, recent research suggests that energy psychology can impact physiology as well.

• China study finds EFT effective for sleep quality in dialysis patients: A study on patients with end-stage renal disease concluded that EFT can relieve anxiety and depression, enhance sleep quality, and improve the physical condition of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis. As well, the EFT intervention is practicable, acceptable, and perceived as being beneficial to the patient. [Read more…]

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To see more articles and videos on the latest news, science and research on EFT, see the EFT International website.

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