2025

This systematic review found EFT to be a promising and safe intervention for reducing anxiety symptoms, with effects comparable to CBT and superior to some alternative therapies. However, methodological limitations and heterogeneity among studies preclude firm conclusions, highlighting the need for high-quality RCTs.

EFT significantly reduced stress and anxiety among primary caregivers of patients with mental illness, with mean stress scores decreasing from 17.68 to 13.77 and anxiety scores decreasing from 14.84 to 12.10. The study suggests incorporating EFT into mental health support programs to improve caregiver well-being.

A 4-week EFT intervention improved subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and menopause-specific quality of life in postmenopausal women, but didn't significantly enhance overall sleep quality. EFT is recommended as a non-pharmacological approach for improving sleep and emotional well-being in this population.

A randomized controlled trial found that Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) significantly reduced pelvic pain intensity and improved quality of life (QoL) in women with endometriosis-related pelvic pain. The EFT group showed improved scores in physical functioning, emotional role functioning, vitality, mental health, social functioning, and pain compared to the control group.

This study explored the effects of Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on fatigue in COPD patients, finding that the combination of MICT and EFT may be more effective than single interventions. The study involved 112 patients randomly divided into control, MICT, EFT, and combination groups, with results showing significant improvements in fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and exercise capacity.

A 6-week EFT program significantly reduced anxiety and depression in COPD patients, improving sleep, fatigue, and quality of life. Benefits emerged within 2 weeks and were sustained, showing EFT as an effective adjunct to routine COPD care.

Energy psychology protocols like EFT tapping have shown efficacy in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression, with over 200 clinical trials supporting their use. Research reveals tapping generates electrochemical signals, modulating brain regions and biomarkers, making it a non-placebo treatment component.

A recent study explored the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in managing kinesiophobia, or fear of movement, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that EFT significantly reduced kinesiophobia scores and improved pain and anxiety in participants, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapy. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the long-term benefits of EFT for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This pilot study found that both mindfulness meditation and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping improved self-regulation in 5-year-old children over a three-week period. However, neither intervention significantly impacted happiness or life satisfaction, suggesting that longer intervention periods may be needed.

A case series of five elderly COVID-19 patients showed significant clinical improvement after receiving Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) alongside standard pharmacological care. The patients demonstrated reduced clinical severity, improved frailty status, decreased systemic inflammation and enhanced emotional well-being.

This study investigated the effectiveness of one session of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in promoting forgiveness and mental health after interpersonal transgressions. Results showed moderate improvements in forgiveness, empathy, mood and anxiety for the EFT group, suggesting its potential role in fostering forgiveness and psychological recovery.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on pain and depression in cancer patients, finding significant reductions in both symptoms after four 30-minute EFT sessions. The results suggest that EFT may be a valuable complementary therapy for alleviating physical and psychological distress in individuals with cancer.

This study investigated the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on competitive anxiety in 29 elite male taekwondo athletes. After 10 sessions of EFT training, the intervention group showed decreased cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and salivary cortisol, as well as increased self-confidence, compared to the control group.

This article provides a critical and balanced overview of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) research, addressing gaps in conceptual, theoretical, and empirical bases. The review aims to inform future research and practical applications of EFT, particularly within the context of the global mental health crisis.

This book chapter discusses how energy psychology techniques can complement traditional psychotherapy for individuals with eating disorders by addressing the mind-body connection. Two case studies illustrate how energy testing can reveal internal psychological resistance to recovery and help practitioners identify subconscious barriers to treatment. The chapter concludes that energy psychology can be a valuable addition to psychotherapeutic approaches for eating disorders.