Potential of Emotional Freedom Techniques to Improve Mood and Quality of Life in Older Adults

Harbottle, L., Potential of emotional freedom techniques to improve mood and quality of life in older adults | British Journal of Community Nursing, vol. 24, No. 9, published online 9/7/2019 https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.9.432

Highlights

Emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) are an innovative combined somatic and cognitive therapy. Derived from key principles within traditional Chinese medicine, they incorporate elements of exposure, cognitive and other conventional psychotherapies. Increasing evidence suggests that EFTs are effective in treating various physical and psychological conditions and across several population groups. Studies indicate that the somatic component is essential to its ease of use, rapid effect and durability of results. EFTs can be used as self-help tools or applied therapeutically in groups or individually. There is a lack of research specifically examining its applicability to older adults, but a ground-breaking project with nurses in France suggests that EFTs may offer significant potential to moderate pain and stress levels and to improve mood, interaction and quality of life among this group, including those with multiple and complex comorbidities.

• Emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) are a combined somatic and cognitive therapy that blends contemporary psychological techniques with acupoint manipulation, usually by tapping
• Recent evidence supports the existence of meridians or energy channels and the distinctive biophysical properties of acupoints
• EFT treatment has positive effects for various psychological conditions, including depression and anxiety, as well as for a significant number of physical illnesses and for pain management
• In addition to the self-help and therapeutic options in common with younger adults, EFTs can also be used by nurses or other care staff (with appropriate training) to improve the quality of life for those with mood, cognitive or physical health issues

EFTi Volunteer Craig Weiner’s Comments: At this time I can only comment on the abstract without yet having the full paper. It is encouraging to see publication of this article in a nursing journal as well as to see evidence of exploration of the use of EFT in an important demographic of older adults for which there is limited study. Though at least one other published study has explored the use of EFT for insomnia in this population.

EFTi Volunteer Will Thomas’ Comments: This study brings together the pertinent studies that begin to argue for mechanism of action and efficacy of EFT, as well as the potential applications within healthcare/nursing settings.  There is still a great deal more work to be done given the small number of studies considered in this paper and the language of speculation and potential which is employed in the study.  It does offer some evidence from other papers of positive impact on mood and mild pain.  It’s not clear what type of study methodology this is. We don’t think it is a meta-analysis as such.

Reproduced in part by kind permission of Dr Craig Weiner, EFT Tapping Training Institute, https://efttappingtraining.com

Link to study: https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.9.432