Efficacy of EFT Provided by Coaches vs. Licensed Therapists in Veterans with PTSD

Stein, P., & Brooks, A. J. (2011). Efficacy of EFT Provided by Coaches vs. Licensed Therapists in Veterans with PTSD. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 3(1). doi: 10.9769/EPJ.2011.3.1.PKS.AJB

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Abstract:

Introduction

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a validated method for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), available to both lay persons and to licensed mental health practitioners (LMP). It is unknown whether results would be significantly different when EFT is administered by licensed practitioners compared to trained lay coaches.

Method

N = 149 veterans with PTSD were approached and 59 were eligible and consented to the study. They were randomized to an active treatment (EFT n = 30) and wait list (WL n = 29) control group and received treatment from a LMP (n = 26) or a coach (n = 33).

Outcome measures

PTSD was assessed using the PCL-M (PTSD Checklist-Military), and psychological symptoms using the SA-45 (Symptom Assessment-45). All study participants met diagnostic criteria for PTSD on the PCL-M.

Procedure

Participants received 6 sessions of EFT over the course of a month. Questionnaires were repeated after 3 and 6 EFT sessions, and at 3 and 6 months. Wait list was assessed at intake and one month before beginning EFT sessions.

Results

Results are based on post-intervention data from the combined EFT and WL groups. Significant declines in the percent meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria were seen after 3 sessions of EFT with 47% of coach and 30% of LMP participants still meeting PTSD diagnostic criteria. Improvements continued to be seen after 6 sessions (17% coach, 10% LMP) and were sustained at 3 months (17% coach, 11% LMP). Although the percent meeting clinical PTSD criteria increased slightly at 6 months (24% coach, 17% LMP), the overwhelming majority of vets with PTSD treated with EFT remained free of clinically-defined PTSD. The trend for better outcomes for LMP did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Six sessions of EFT, whether administered by a coach or an LMP is efficacious in treating PTSD among veterans suggesting that EFT provided by lay coaches would be an effective strategy to address PTSD in this population.