Heart Rate Variability as an Outcome Measure for Thought Field Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Review

Pignotti, M., & Steinberg, M. (2001). Heart rate variability as an outcome measure for Thought Field Therapy in clinical practice. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(10), 1193-1206.

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Abstract

The need for empirical, objective, clear, and practical outcome measures for therapy has long been recognized by clinicians and researchers. Pragmatic tools for objective determination of the efficacy of therapy have been scarce in clinical practice settings. Heart rate variability (HRV) is increasing in popularity for use in clinical settings as a measure of treatment success. Since HRV is stable and placebo-free, it has the potential to meet this need. Thirty-nine cases are presented from the clinical practices of the authors and three other clinicians where HRV was used as an outcome measure for Thought Field Therapy (TFT). The cases included TFT treatments which addressed a wide variety of problems including phobias, anxiety, trauma, depression, fatigue, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning difficulties, compulsions, obsessions, eating disorders, anger, and physical pain. A lowering of subjective units of distress was in most cases related to an improvement in HRV.

Second Review

Callahan, R. (2001). The impact of Thought Field Therapy on heart rate variability. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57(10), 1153-1170.

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is a rapid treatment for psychological problems typically taking only minutes. HRV has been shown to be a strong predictor of mortality and is adversely affected by such problems as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Interventions presented in the current literature show modest improvements in HRV. Twenty cases, treated by the author and other therapists with TFT, are presented. The cases include some with diagnosed heart problems and very low HRV, which is ordinarily more resistant to change. The degree of improvements that are registered on HRV as a result of TFT treatment exceeds reports found in the current literature. There is a close correspondence between improved HRV and client report of reduced degree of upset. HRV may prove to be an appropriate objective measure of psychotherapy efficacy given the correspondence between client report and HRV outcome. Further research in TFT and HRV is encouraged by these results.