EFT for Test Anxiety: A Pilot Study

Benor, D.J., Ledger, K., Toussaint, L., Hett, G., & Zaccaro, D. (2009). Pilot study of Emotional Freedom Techniques, wholistic hybrid derived from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique, and cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of test anxiety in university students. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 5(6), 338-340.

Read more at Explore Journal of Science and Healing

Summary by Adam Boughey, Research Associate and Trainee Health Psychologist

Location

Decorah, IA: USA

Introduction

This study explored test anxiety benefits of Wholistic Hybrid derived from EMDR (WHEE), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Method

Canadian university students with severe or moderate test anxiety participated. A double-blind, controlled trial of WHEE (n = 5), EFT (n = 5), and CBT (n = 5) was conducted. Standardized anxiety measures included: the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) and Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-21).

Results

Despite small sample size, significant reductions were found for WHEE on the TAI (p < 0.014 – 0.042) and HSCL-21 (p < 0.029); on the TAI (p < 0.001 – 0.027) for EFT; and on the HSCL-21 (p < 0.038) for CBT. There were no significant differences between the scores for the three treatments. In only two sessions WHEE and EFT achieved the same or better benefits as CBT did in five sessions. Participants reported high satisfaction with all treatments. EFT and WHEE students successfully transferred their self-treatment skills to other stressful areas of their lives.

Conclusions

WHEE and EFT show promise as effective treatments for test anxiety.