Science and Research: Stapleton, P

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

Filed Under: 2019, Bach, D, Church, D, Clinical Applications, Groesbeck, G, Meta Analysis, Science Papers, Sims, R, Stapleton, P

This study explores the physiological effects of EFT on research subjects. The study had two aims. Firstly, to look at the effect of EFT across the central nervous system including heart rate variability, heart coherence, resting heart rate and blood pressure. It additionally measured cortisol levels and immune function using salivary immunoglobulin A (Sig A) measures.

Making Sense of Chronic Disease Using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): An Existential View of Illness

Filed Under: 2020, Kalla, M, Robinson, A, Science Papers, Simmons, M, Stapleton, P

Physical diseases may be viewed as somatic metaphors of patients’ meanings and subjective stories, often referred to as “symbolic diseases. Assessing the psychosocial and existential aspects of an illness as a routine part of medical diagnostic procedures would be valuable for patients. EFT offers promise as a suitable therapeutic approach to help chronic disease patients make sense of their life stories and lived experiences, and consequently, symbolic meanings of diseases.The exploration of illness symbology and meaning-making may offer therapeutic value to patients, from both an existential and a health behaviors perspective.

Re-examining the Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Stress Biochemistry: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Filed Under: 2020, Crighton, G, ONeill, H M, Randomized Controlled Trials, Sabot, D, Stapleton, P

The present results indicated the EFT group experienced a significant decrease in cortisol greater than the original study (-43.24%, p < .05), but these results were not mirrored by subjective reports of psychological distress. The EFT group reduction in cortisol was significantly different from that of the PE group (-19.67%), and as expected, the posttreatment cortisol level detected among the EFT group was lower than that of the NT group (2.02%); however, there was not a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Additionally, there were no significant improvements in cortisol reduction among the NT and PE groups. Findings support the original study indicating EFT to be an efficient and effective brief treatment for reducing biological markers of stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a Practice for Supporting Chronic Disease Healthcare: A Practitioners’ Perspective

Filed Under: 2018, Kalla, M, Pilot Studies, Robinson, A, Serious Disease, Simmons, M, Stapleton, P, Stress

The objective of the present study was to explore Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) practitioners’ experiences of using EFT to support chronic disease patients. This was part of a larger study exploring chronic disease patients’ and EFT practitioners’ experiences of using EFT to support chronic disease healthcare…

Evaluating a 3-Week Model for Reducing Symptoms of Stress in Traumatised Youth Using the Trauma Tapping Technique (TTT) for Self-help: A Pilot Trial

Filed Under: 2018, Hamne, G, Pilot Studies, PTSD & Trauma, Sandstrom, U, Stapleton, P, Stress

The study involved 77 youth who received a TTT 3-week model of intervention (self-applied). Post traumatic stress symptoms and general happiness were assessed pre and post the intervention and at 6-month follow-up…

The Lived Experience of Chronic Pain and the Impact of Brief Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Group Therapy on Coping

Filed Under: 2016, Chatwin, H, Guidance Papers, McSwan, J, Research Reviews, Sheppard, L, Stapleton, P

Chronic pain is associated with a range of physical, psychological, and social risk factors, and successful treatment aims to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life for patients. In order to explore the impact, challenges, and current experience of chronic pain sufferers, an anonymous online open-ended qualitative survey was developed and analyzed for manifest and latent content. This then informed a brief four-hour therapy session using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a brief cognitive intervention with a somatic component. The qualitative study highlighted issues sufferers had with employment, interpersonal relationships, and emotions.

Naturally Thin You: Weight Loss and Psychological Symptoms After a Six-Week Online Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Course

Filed Under: 2018, Carter, B, Church, D, Pilot Studies, PTSD & Trauma, Quality of Life, Sheppard, L, Stapleton, P, Weight Loss

The current study investigated the effects of Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in 76 participants enrolled in a six-week online course… Participants received six live group teleclasses, access to online course materials and a private social media group, and a year of monthly support teleclasses. No particular diet was recommended; the course focused instead on controlling emotional eating, and using EFT to treat the emotional triggers associated with food… Weight decreased an average of 1 lb/week during the course, and 2 lb/month between pretest and one-year follow-up. On follow-up, no change was observed in PTSD symptoms measured by a brief civilian trauma checklist, or anxiety, and increases in happiness were non-significant.

Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Unhealthy Eating Behaviors and Related Psychological Constructs in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Filed Under: 2016, Addiction, Anxiety, Chatwin, H, Eating Disorders, Hutton, A, Obesity, Pain, A, Pilot Studies, Porter, B, Randomized Controlled Trials, Sheldon, T, Stapleton, P

Results revealed a delayed effect for both groups at post-intervention, with improved eating habits, self-esteem, and compassion at follow-up. Findings provide preliminary support for EFT as an effective treatment strategy for increasing healthy eating behaviours and improving associated weight-related psychopathology.

Food For Thought: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings

Filed Under: 2016, Bannatyne, A, Randomized Controlled Trials, Sheldon, T, Stapleton, P, Urzi, K-C

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…

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques in Reducing Depression and Anxiety Among Adults: A Pilot Study

Filed Under: 2016, Anxiety, Chatwin, H, Depression, Devine, S, Pilot Studies, Porter, B, Sheldon, T, Stapleton, P

Must log-in to Integrative Medicine – A Clinician’s Journal to read highlights, abstract and full study

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a Practice for Supporting Chronic Disease Healthcare: A Practitioners’ Perspective

Filed Under: 2017, Kalla, M, Robinson, A, Science Papers, Serious Disease, Simmons, M, Stapleton, P

Determining Highly Desirable Traits of an Effective Emotional Freedom Techniques Practitioner: A Delphi Study

Filed Under: 2017, Chatwin, H, Clinical Applications, Science Papers, Stapleton, P

This method is designed to achieve a consensus amongst skilled panelists when an accepted body of literature is lacking. A three-round modified Delphi approach was used and participants were skilled in delivering EFT as a practitioner

Secondary Psychological Outcomes in a Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings

Filed Under: 2017, Bannatyne, A, Chatwin, H, Food Cravings, Obesity, Porter, B, Randomized Controlled Trials, Sheldon, T, Stapleton, P, Urzi, K-C, Weight Loss

This is the first controlled non-inferiority trial to examine the effectiveness of two psychological interventions: Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), in treating secondary psychological outcomes of obesity.

Clinical Benefits of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Food Cravings at 12-Months Follow-Up: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Filed Under: 2012, Food Cravings, Porter, B, Randomized Controlled Trials, Sheldon, T, Stapleton, P

This randomized, single-blind, crossover trial tested whether participants who used Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) maintained reduced food cravings after 12-months and updates previously reported 6-month findings.

A Randomized Clinical Trial of a Meridian-Based Intervention for Food Cravings with Six-Month Follow-Up

Filed Under: 2010, Porter, B, Randomized Controlled Trials, Sheldon, T, Stapleton, P, Weight Loss

This randomised, clinical trial tested whether The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) reduced food cravings… EFT was associated with a significantly greater improvement in food cravings, the subjective power of food and craving restraint than waitlist from pre- to immediately post-test (p < 0.05).