Yount, G

This experimental study provides preliminary evidence that Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) may influence microRNA expression, potentially linking psychological interventions to molecular-level changes. Although statistical significance was not achieved after adjusting for multiple comparisons, the downregulation of let-7b and let-7c microRNAs—which have been associated with neuroplasticity and emotional regulation—suggests a possible biological mechanism underlying EFT's effects. These findings support further investigation into the role of noncoding RNAs in mediating therapeutic outcomes, particularly in the treatment of PTSD and other stress-related conditions.

Study results identify candidate gene expression correlates of successful PTSD treatment, providing guidelines for the design of further studies aimed at exploring the epigenetic effects of EFT...

This study examines the epigenetic effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assessing changes in gene expression linked to PTSD symptoms. Findings indicate that EFT significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and influenced the expression of six genes, suggesting potential biological mechanisms underlying EFT’s therapeutic impact.

These results of this RCT suggest that salivary cortisol tests may be useful not only for assessing stress physiology, but also as an objective indicator of the impact of mental health treatments in reducing psychological symptoms. In the current study, EFT was shown to significantly improve both cortisol-related stress levels and self-reported psychological symptoms after a single treatment session.