Pfund, R A

This commentary critiques a recent study on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for treating PTSD, questioning the study's methods and conclusions. The authors argue that EFT's effectiveness is not strongly supported and may not be a reliable treatment option. They also raise concerns that EFT might distract people from seeking more evidence-based treatments for PTSD.

The article critiques the plausibility of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) and raises concerns about the pseudoscientific basis of energy meridians, methodological flaws in EFT research, and ethical issues, concluding that EFT lacks scientific credibility and remains an "unsinkable rubber duck" (i.e. a belief that people continue to hold despite evidence to the contrary). This critique is presented as a response to the article entitled “Integrating the Manual Stimulation of Acupuncture Points Into Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review with Clinical Recommendations,” appearing in the same journal by Feinstein, which had argued for the promise of EFT based on its research history.