The study compared the effects of EFT and music therapy on nursing students taking clinical exams in Turkey. 90 students were randomly assigned to one of three groups (MUSIC, EFT, CONTROL). The study aimed to assess the effects of music, EFT and no intervention on situational anxiety and physiological measures. The study showed that both music and EFT had reduced the situational anxiety significantly (p < .05). The changes in mean vital signs were not universally significant, although there were some shifts.
Read MoreScience and Research: Randomized Controlled Trials
A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) is often regarded as the gold standard in clinical research. It aims to compare a new treatment to an existing treatment, in a completely unbiased way. It does this by assigning subjects to two (or more) existing treatments, in a random way, to evaluate which one works best. A control group, who receive no treatment or a placebo treatment is usually used to compare the efficacy of the treatments being compared.
The randomisation minimises selection bias and the treatment groups allow the researchers to assess which treatments work best. An appropriate population is identified and the subjects are allocated in a way that is unknown to the researchers carrying out the treatments. Please Note: Many RCTs are also conducted as Pilot Studies
Re-examining the Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Stress Biochemistry: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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).
Read MoreEpigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
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…
Read MoreThought Field Therapy (TFT) as a Treatment For Anxiety Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial
To investigate whether thought field therapy (TFT) has an impact on anxiety symptoms in patients with a variety of anxiety disorders… Forty-five patients were randomized to either TFT (n = 23) or a waiting list (n = 22) condition. The wait-list group was reassessed and compared with the TFT group two and a half months after the initial evaluation. After the reassessment, the wait-list patients received treatment with TFT. All 45 patients were followed up one to two weeks after TFT treatment, as well as at three and 12 months after treatment…
Read MoreInvestigation on Emotional Freedom Technique Effectiveness in Diabetic Patients’ Blood Sugar Control
Chronic diseases are a major cause of death and illness in the world and diabetics is in sixth rank. As Harati (2009) noted the prevalence of 2nd type diabetes in Iran has accelerated so that more than 1 percent of Iranians over age 20 are affected by it each year. The present study is done in order to improve glycemic control in diabetic patients, reducing the need for costly medical services and enhance their mental health and remove the burdens of the patients and the community…
Read MoreEmotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for Stress in Students: A Randomized Controlled Dismantling Study
Previous studies have demonstrated that Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is an evidence-based method that relieves stress and a variety of psychological conditions… The goal of the current study was to determine whether or not EFT could quickly reduce stress symptoms in college students, and to compare the efficacy of acupoint stimulation to the stimulation of sham points. Participants were 56 university students…
Read MoreRandomised Controlled Study Comparing Two Psychological Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) vs. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Randomised Controlled Study Comparing Two Psychological Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Vs. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)…
Read MoreEfficacy of Two Evidence-Based Therapies, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the Treatment of Gender Violence in the Congo: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Psychological trauma in the aftermath of sexual violence is a persistent problem in both developing and developed nations, and appropriate treatment techniques are needed to address the special needs of this population. The objective of this study was to assess whether two evidence-based therapeutic methods for PTSD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), are efficacious for sexual gender-based violence (SGBV)…
Read MoreIs Acupoint Stimulation an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): A Controlled Trial of Teacher Burnout
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has been the subject of much research over the past decade, with many studies of conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression showing significant treatment effects. In addition to elements drawn from established cognitive and exposure therapies, EFT uses the manual stimulation of acupuncture points (acupressure) through fingertip tapping. This study investigated the utility of EFT to address professional burnout in a population of school teachers… The results are consistent with earlier dismantling studies and indicate that acupoint tapping is an active ingredient in the therapeutic results obtained from EFT and not a placebo…
Read MoreEFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Resiliency in Veterans at Risk for PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Prior research indicates elevated but subclinical posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as a risk factor for a later diagnosis of PTSD. This study examined the progression of symptoms in 21 subclinical veterans… Symptom improvements were similar to those assessed in studies of PTSD-positive veterans. EFT may thus be protective against an increase in symptoms and a later PTSD diagnosis. As a simple and quickly learned self-help method, EFT may be a clinically useful element of a resiliency program for veterans and active-duty warriors.
Read MoreEmotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Unhealthy Eating Behaviors and Related Psychological Constructs in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial
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.
Read MoreFood For Thought: A Randomised Controlled Trial of Emotional Freedom Techniques and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Food Cravings
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…
Read MorePain, Range of Motion, and Psychological Symptoms in a Population with Frozen Shoulder: A Randomized Controlled Dismantling Study of Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
The current study assesses whether acupoint stimulation is an active ingredient or whether treatment effects are due to nonspecific factors. Thirty-seven participants with “frozen shoulder” consisting of limited range of motion (ROM) and pain were randomized into a wait list, or 1 of 2 treatment groups.
Read MoreEpigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
The purpose of the study was to assess the feasibility of measuring changes in gene expression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment using emotional freedom techniques (EFT). Participants were randomized into an EFT group receiving EFT and treatment as usual (TAU) throughout a 10-week intervention period and a group receiving only TAU during the intervention period and then receiving EFT. A community clinic and a research institute in California. Participants: Sixteen veterans with clinical levels of PTSD symptoms…
Read MoreEFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Remediates PTSD and Psychological Symptoms in Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Replication Trial
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition among veterans and is often regarded as treatment-resistant… Psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression declined significantly, as did physiological markers of insomnia and pain. An effect size of Cohen’s d = 3.44 indicates a large treatment effect. These results replicate those obtained in an earlier investigation, and indicate that EFT is an evidence-based practice that is highly effective at reducing symptom severity in veterans with PTSD.
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