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Church, D. & Brooks, A. (2008). The Effect of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on Psychological Symptoms in Addiction Treatment. This data was presented at Science and Consciousness, the Tenth Annual Energy Psychology conference, Toronto, October 24, 2008.
Read more at http://www.sciencedomain.org/abstract.php?iid=176&id=22&aid=1382
Summary by Adam Boughey, Research Associate and Trainee Health Psychologist, Staffordshire University, UK
Introduction
Research has noted frequent co-occurrence of psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression with addiction.
Method
This study examined the psychological conditions of 28 adults at an addictions workshop at which participants learned EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), a widely practiced form of energy psychology. Subjects were evaluated using a short form of the SCL-90-R, (the SA-45), a 45-item questionnaire that has been well validated in other studies. As well as measuring the intensity and breadth of symptoms on two global scales, the SA-45 has nine subscales for such conditions such as anxiety, depression, and hostility. The study employed a time-series, within-subjects repeated measures design to evaluate symptoms at the start of the workshop, at the end of the workshop, and, to determine long-term effects, 90 days later.
Results
A statistically significant decrease in the two global scales, the global severity index and positive symptom total, as well as the anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptom scales was observed with gains maintained at follow-up. Improvement in somatization was found at posttest only, while improvement in interpersonal sensitivity occurred at the 90-day follow-up.
Conclusions
These findings suggest EFT may be an effective adjunct to addiction treatment by reducing the severity of general psychological distress, and in particular, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This study is limited by the small sample size, lack of a control group, and exploratory nature.
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