Summary: This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in reducing anxiety and behavior associated with specific phobias. The study involved 22 students with a phobic response to a specific stimulus, who were randomly assigned to receive either EFT or diaphragmatic breathing as the first treatment. The results showed that EFT significantly reduced phobia-related anxiety and increased the ability to approach the feared stimulus, regardless of whether it was presented as the initial treatment or after diaphragmatic breathing. The study's findings support the potential effectiveness of EFT in treating specific phobias, and further research is recommended to compare EFT with established therapies.
Citation and Link: Salas, M., Brooks, A., & Rowe, J. (2011). The Immediate Effect of a Brief Energy Psychology Intervention (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on Specific Phobias: A Pilot Study. Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing, 7(3), 155-161. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2011.02.005 Read more in Explore Journal of Science and Healing