Wissenschaft, die Wissen schafft
Gab es zunächst nur die vielen positiven Meldungen aus der täglichen Praxis weltweit, so untermauern heute immer mehr wissenschaftliche Studien die verblüffende Wirksameit der Klopfakupressur-Methode, so dass das „Klopfen“ mittlerweile zunehmend auch in etablierten Mediziner- und Therapeutenkreisen Anerkennung findet.
Siehe hierzu den Artikel von David Feinstein: APA Updates Its Position on Energy Psychology.
In diesem Zusammenhang kommt dem folgenden Artikel, der im Review of General Psychology (einer Fachzeitschrift der konservativen American Psychological Association – APA) erschienen ist, eine entscheidende Bedeutung zu:
Feinstein, D.: (2012): Acupoint stimulation in treating psychological disorders: Evidence in efficacy. Review of General Psychology (siehe unter Rubrik „Metastudien / Theorie“).
Die hier aufgeführte Auswahl an Studien wurde entnommen aus PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) und Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology – ACEP (https://www.energypsych.org).
Thema Angst
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Abstract:
Background: Lower limb fractures cause local pain, swelling, ecchymosis, and dysfunction. Clinically, incision and reduction surgery are often employed to treat lower limb fractures. However, postoperative pain can be intense, leading to adverse emotions that hinder subsequent recovery.
Methods: A total of 99 postoperative patients with lower limb fractures were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group (routine care, 33 patients), the auricular acupressure group (routine care plus auricular acupressure, 33 patients), and the combined group (routine care, auricular acupressure, and emotional freedom techniques [EFT], 33 patients). Pain levels were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), and anxiety levels were measured using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) at various time points post-intervention. Patient satisfaction with nursing care was also evaluated at the end of the intervention.
Results: The VAS scores in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the auricular acupressure and control groups at 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-intervention (P < .05). Additionally, the SAS scores in the combined group were significantly lower than those in the auricular acupressure and control groups at 72 hours post-intervention (P < .05). The combined group also reported significantly higher satisfaction with nursing care compared to the other 2 groups at the end of the intervention (P < .05).
Conclusion: Auricular acupressure combined with EFT effectively reduces pain levels, alleviates anxiety, and increases patient satisfaction with nursing care in postoperative patients with lower limb fractures.
Abstract:
Background: Fear of childbirth is one of the main causes of women’s emotional difficulty experienced in the perinatal period, especially those having their first child.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on the fear of childbirth among primiparous women in Ahvaz, Iran.
Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 116 primiparous women. The participants were randomly divided into intervention (n = 58) or control (n = 58) groups. The intervention group received daily stimulation of certain points in their body for 12 weeks using EFT. The fear of childbirth was measured at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ-A) and at the first postpartum visit with WDEQ-B. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t- test, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: After intervention, the mean score of fear of childbirth in the intervention group decreased from 49.39 ± 8.21 to 40.42 ± 13.43 (p < 0.0001), while the same rate in the control group increased from 49.47 ± 9.06 to 52.09 ± 7.73 (p = 0.002). The mean score of fear of childbirth after delivery in the control group (45.88 ± 7.10) was higher than that in the intervention group (27.13 ± 5.08) (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, EFT can be considered as an effective method to reduce the fear of childbirth score in primiparous women.
Abstract:
Objective: This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on the severity of nausea-vomiting and anxiety in early pregnancy.
Design: The sample consisted of 131 pregnant women in the experimental and control groups between 6 and 16 weeks of pregnancy attending an antenatal clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to receive training on EFT or a control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, subjective experiences, the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis. Both groups attended two visits, a week apart. The participants in the EFT group received a session of EFT at each visit and completed two EFT sessions as home assignments, 2 and 4 days after the first visit. The participants in the control group attended two visits a week apart and completed assessments but did not receive EFT.
Results: There were 55 women in each group who completed the study, and the groups were similar in terms of baseline measures, including socioeconomic status, smoking status, previous pregnancy, severity of nausea-vomiting, and total pregnancy-related anxiety. EFT significantly reduced anxiety levels from the baseline to the second session (fear of delivery, worries about bearing a handicapped child, concern about one's own appearance) and total pregnancy-related anxiety (total pretest 29.85 ± 9.87, post-test 20.67 ± 8.38; p < 0.001), while the control group showed no reduction in pregnancy-related anxiety (total pretest 26.1 ± 7.79, post-test 25.98 ± 8.49; p = 0.933). Although nausea-vomiting was reduced in both groups over the two-session period, at the end of treatment, the EFT group had significantly lower nausea intensity (EFT group 4.4 ± 1.81, control group 5.36 ± 2.48; p = 0.02).
Conclusions: EFT is a nonpharmacologic intervention that can be effective in reducing nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in early pregnancy.
Abstract:
Family members are at the forefront of providing care to patients with chronic illnesses, such as heart failure (HF). Since patient caregiving can affect the mental and physical health of family caregivers, the implementation and training of new psychological interventions by nurses are considered important and necessary for family caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with HF.
Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study, in which 91 family caregivers participated. The family caregivers were assigned into two groups of intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 45). Data were collected using a demographic information form, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) developed by Novak and Guest. The intervention group underwent EFT training within six sessions, while the control group received no training. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and absolute and relative frequency) and inferential statistical tests such as Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t-tests were run, and the data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software.
Results: The findings showed that the intervention group had a significant improvement in reducing anxiety (P > 0.001). In addition, EFT significantly reduced caregiver burden among family caregivers of HF patients (P > 0.001).
Conclusion: EFT could significantly reduce anxiety and caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients with HF in our study. Therefore, nurses working in clinical settings are recommended to learn and use EFT to reduce the anxiety and caregiver burden of patients’ family caregivers.
Abstract:
Background: The intense fear of blushing in public (erythrophobia) is part of the spectrum of social anxiety that affects between 3% and 13% of the population. This phobia can be very debilitating for those who suffer from it. It may stem from a difficult childhood marked by educational attitudes based on shame and humiliation as well as repeated traumatic experiences.
Object: The aim here is to explain in detail how the energy psychology techniques Clinical EFT (the manualized form of Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Energetic Memory Reconsolidation Therapy function in practice, as applied to “Jeanne,” a young woman suffering from social anxiety and erythrophobia following a chaotic start in life.
Method and setting: The therapeutic plan was drawn up on the theoretical basis of the scientific literature on energy psychology, which has produced convincing results in the treatment of trauma and anxiety. The therapy was threefold: (a) learning to manage anxiety autonomously using Clinical EFT, (b) trauma treatment using Energetic Memory Reconsolidation Therapy, and (c) psycho-education. Jeanne had a total of 15 sessions, two of which are detailed here to illustrate the work. At the start of each session, the SUD (Subjective Units of Distress) scale was used to rate the level of blushing anxiety (the scale ranges from 0 to 10, with 0 being no distress and 10 being the most imaginable).
Results: The level of anxiety decreased from 9/10 to 3/10 between the first and last sessions. In addition, the number of problem situations encountered (blushing having generated negative emotions) dropped from 5 per week to 0 per week between the beginning and end of therapy. Jeanne’s goal of not blushing at her wedding was achieved. She was able to experience the event without worrying about or even thinking about the anxiety.
Conclusion: Psychotherapy based on energy techniques enabled me to treat Jeanne’s social anxiety and erythrophobia in depth by targeting the sources while giving her access to an emotional regulation tool to use independently: Clinical EFT.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on anxiety, depression and sleep in older people living with HIV (PLWH).
Methods: 70 older PLWH experiencing anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders were randomly divided into control and experimental groups using a random number table system (RNT), with 35 participants in each group. The experimental group received Emotional Freedom Techniques once a day for 15–20 min as part of their routine care and health counselling, and the intervention lasted for 2 weeks. The control group received standard nursing care and health guidance. The two groups were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure changes in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality before and after the intervention.
Results: There are totally 67 participants in the trial. In the EFT group (n = 33), PSQI scores decreased from 12.36 ± 2.409 to 9.15 ± 2.476(mean ± SD P < 0.001), HA scores decreased from 12.39 ± 2.344 to 9.12 ± 2.176(mean ± SD P < 0.001), HD scores decreased from 11.58 ± 1.969 to 8.94 ± 2.015 (mean ± SD P < 0.001), compared with no change in the usual care group (n = 34). The EFT group showed significantly lower post-intervention scores than the control group on all scales (P < 0.001), indicating the effectiveness of the intervention.
Conclusion: Emotional Freedom Techniques can effectively alleviate anxiety and depression in older PLWH and improve their sleep quality.
Abstract:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure where the gall bladder is removed through small punctures in the abdomen to permit the insertion of a laparoscope and surgical instruments. This study aimed to determine the effect of EFT on patients' surgical fears and anxieties before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The research was conducted using a pretest, post-test, and randomized controlled experimental research design. A total of 112 patients treatment practices were applied to the control group, EFT was applied to the intervention group. A Patient Information Form, an Anxiety Specific to Surgery Questionnaire, a Surgical Fear Questionnaire, and Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) were used to collect the research data.
There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of descriptive and clinical features (P > .05). The post-test score averages of EFT group in the Surgical Fear Questionnaire, Anxiety Specific to Surgery Questionnaire, and SUD were significantly lower than in the control group (P < .001). The EFT significantly reduced the SUD scores of the patients by 54.4% (P < .001).
The authors concluded: EFT was found to be useful in clinical practice in the preoperative period, reducing surgery-specific anxiety and surgical fear. EFT can be recommended for application during the preoperative period in clinics.
Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with heart failure.
Design and methods: This study was a quasi-experimental randomized study, in which 91 family caregivers participated. The family caregivers were assigned into two groups of intervention (n= 46) and control (n= 45). Data were collected by using demographic information form, Zung self-rating anxiety scale, and caregiver burden inventory developed by Novak and Guest. The intervention group underwent EFT training within 6 sessions, while the control group received no training.
Findings: The results of the study showed that the mean scores of anxiety and caregiver burden had a significant decrease in the intervention group in the post-test, compared to the control group (p> 0.001).
Implications: EFT could significantly reduce anxiety and caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients with heart failure in our study. Therefore, nurses working in the clinical settings are recommended to learn and use EFT to reduce the anxiety and caregiver burden of patients' family caregivers.
Abstract:
Objective: To examine the effect of an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) group intervention on perceived stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms in women in the postpartum period.
Design: A one-group pre- and posttest quasi-experimental design.
Setting/Local Problem: Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety affect nearly one in five women in the first 12 months after childbirth. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant worsening of symptoms of PPD, stress, and anxiety in this population. Mental health screening is the standard of care in perinatal settings. This practice has led to an increased rate of PPD and anxiety diagnoses and the need for evidence-based nonpharmacologic interventions to support mothers with PPD and anxiety.
Participants: Eleven mothers seeking care for lactation concerns who screened positive for PPD and anxiety symptoms.
Intervention/Measurements: A total of eight 1-hour group EFT sessions were offered to participants over a period of 4 weeks. During the group sessions, participants were taught how to perform the steps of EFT and apply it in a supportive group format. Measurement tools included the Subjective Unit of Distress Scale, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7. The preintervention and postintervention scores of these tools were compared using a paired-samples t test.
Results: After implementing EFT as a group intervention, we observed a reduction in mental health burden experienced by women in the postpartum period. There was a statistically significant decrease in depression (p = .003), anxiety (p <.001), and perceived stress (p <.001) scores 1 month after the EFT intervention.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that EFT may be a viable adjunctive intervention for managing depression, anxiety, and stress in the postpartum period. Further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to confirm these findings.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on various aspects, including mental health, especially for people confirmed positive for COVID-19. People who are positively confirmed for COVID-19 tend to experience decreased immunity caused by feelings of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. emotional freedom technology (EFT) therapy has been proven to reduce mental health disorders but has never been applied to people who are positively confirmed for COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the effect of EFT therapy on mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, and insomnia) in COVID-19 patients in Pontianak City. This research method is quantitative with a quasi-experimental design in the COVID-19 isolation area provided by the Pontianak City government, namely Upelkes and Rusunawa in June 2021. The total sampling was employed consisting of 42 people. A validated questionnaire on anxiety, depression, and insomnia was employed as a research instrument. A repeated ANOVA test was used to analyze research data. The results showed that EFT therapy was effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and insomnia scores in positively confirmed people for COVID19 (p-value <0.05). EFT therapy can overcome mental health disorders experienced by people who are positively confirmed for COVID-19 and as an alternative therapy to speed up the healing process.
Abstract: The study's major goal was to determine whether lockdowns, remote learning, and other significant changes brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic caused students at a locally supported institution in Laguna to feel depressed, anxious, or stressed. Students enrolled from 2020 to the present or during the pandemic's duration made comprised the study's participants. This was a quasi-experimental design. It was designed to find out if students were displaying signs of stress, anxiety, or depression. An intervention, Emotional Freedom Technique, has been used to mitigate and address their degree of depression, anxiety, and stress. The participants' age, sex, course, and year level demographics were also noted. The research used simple random sampling and the researcher called all the participants who met the criteria. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) was utilized to determine their level of symptoms. Moderate to extremely severe symptoms had been invited to participate in the experiment. Volunteered participants had been assigned to three experimental groups namely depression group, anxiety, and stress. Forty-five (45) participants had been subjected to 16 (sixteen) sessions of online intervention with a total of 48 sessions for three groups with an interval post-test within the sessions. Fortunately, after 16 sessions of the emotional freedom technique, the participants in the anxiety group had a baseline of 16.69 mean or severe but after three post-tests they became better as revealed by the last post-test mean of 4.84 or normal. As to depression, they had 22.77 mean or severe, but after sessions it was now 10.38 mean or mild. The participants had 25.50 mean or severe but afterwards 8.70 mean or normal in the stress group. Since quantifiable data has demonstrated how well the emotional liberation technique works, the hypothesis that it is ineffective for reducing the participants' levels of sadness, anxiety, and stress symptoms was rejected. Nevertheless, the researcher will create an intervention called "Psychological Acupuncture for Comfort" as the output for the study.
Abstract:
Aim and Background: Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is one of the new therapies that can have a positive effect on emotional mood and mood swings with its positive effects on the physiology of the brain. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of emotional freedom technique (EFT) training on improving emotional malaise and negative mood in women with mood-trait anxiety.
Methods and Materials: The design of the present study was a single case study of an experimental design. The statistical population of the present study was all women with trait anxiety who referred to counseling centers in Isfahan in the summer and fall of 1399, of which 3 had the criteria of trait- trait anxiety and in terms of entry and exit criteria and other characteristics. In terms of education, age, and economic and social status, they were similar; were chosen. Subjects answered the Toronto Alexithymia Questionnaire, Anxiety, Depression and Stress (DASS-21) and the Mental Disorders Checklist (SCL90). Then, the experimental group received 10 sessions of 90 minutes of emotional freedom technique training, while the control group did not receive any training. Data were analyzed using intra-situational and inter-situational analysis to analyze the effectiveness of the independent variable (EFT intervention) on dependent variables (emotional malaise and negative mood).
Findings: The results showed that emotional freedom technique improved emotional malaise (alexithymia) and negative mood in women with trait anxiety has been significantly effective (p<0.01).
Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, it can be said that the emotional freedom technique can be used as an effective intervention option to help women with trait anxiety to reduce emotional malaise and their negative mood.
The use of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a class exercise was investigated to ascertain its effectiveness for student wellbeing. Although EFT has been validated in clinical settings, studies have not yet established whether this approach could be applied in classrooms to curb anxiety and improve wellbeing. A pragmatic, mixed methods study was conducted with 138 students in northern Australian primary schools. Student anxiety dissipated over two stages of intervention. Aside from class tapping sessions, students sometimes tapped surreptitiously, and teachers applied tapping for themselves on occasions. Students generally preferred a quieter, individual approach during class tapping sessions. Broader themes derived from student and teacher data suggested that tapping is a mechanism for change, the skills are transferable, and unsurprisingly, tapping is not always effective. EFT supports social and emotional learning and aligns with the Australian school curriculum. Findings suggest EFT used in classrooms can benefit students and teachers.
Abstract:
Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has been a significant public health problem due to its high mortality and morbidity rates, has particularly affected the fear and anxiety levels of health professionals. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on the anxiety and fear of COVID-19 levels of nurses in the emergency department.
Methods: This study was designed in line with a pre-and post-test, two-group methodology. A total of 88 partici- pants (experimental group, 44; control group, 44) were included in this study. Data were collected using the following four tools: Questionnaire Form, Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Fear of COVID-19 scale.
Results: A total of 84 nurses, 41 of whom were in the intervention group and 43 in the control group, were included in this study. After the intervention, the fear of COVID-19 (-4.58±2.47) levels and the mean anxiety intensity (SUD) of the participants decreased (-5.61±1.16) in the experimental group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001) when compared to that of the control group; the state anxiety (-8.82±7.26) and trait anxiety (-1.16±2.97) averages decreased, the decrease in state anxiety was statistically significant (p<0.001), while the decrease in trait anxiety was not significant (p>0.005). There was no significant change in the mean scores of the control group (P19S=-0.09±2.47; SUD=0±1.15; DDS=-0.22±7.25; SDS=-0.04±2.97).
Conclusion: This study showed that EFT sessions administered in a group setting reduced and helped the emergency nurses better cope with COVID-19 anxiety and fear levels.
Abstract: Very few studies have investigated the neural underpinnings of bifocal-multisensory interventions such as acupoint tapping (tapping) despite their well-documented efficacy. The present study aims to investigate the neural and behavioral responses to tapping during the perception of phobic and generally fear-inducing stimulation in a group of participants with fear of flying. We studied 29 flight-phobic participants who were exposed to phobia-related, fear-inducing and neutral stimulation while undergoing fMRI and a bifocal-multisensory intervention session consisting of tapping plus cognitive restructuring in a within-subject design. During tapping we found an up-regulation of neural activation in the amygdala, and a down-regulation in the hippocampus and temporal pole. These effects were different from automatic emotion regulatory processes which entailed down-regulation in the amygdala, hippocampus, and temporal pole. Mean scores (±SD) on the Fear of Flying scale dropped from 2.51(±0.65) before the intervention to 1.27(±0.68) after the intervention (p <.001). The proportion of participants meeting the criteria for fear of flying also dropped from 89.7 percent before the intervention to 24.0 percent after the intervention (p <.001). Taken together, our results lend support to the effectiveness of tapping as a means of emotion regulation across multiple contexts and add to previous findings of increased amygdala activation during tapping, as opposed to amygdala down-regulation found in other emotion regulation techniques. They expand on previous knowledge by suggesting that tapping might modulate the processing of complex visual scene representations and their binding with visceral emotional reponses, reflected by the down- regulation of activation in the hippocampus and temporal pole. Bifocal emotion regulation was useful in ameliorating aversive reactions to phobic stimuli in people with fear of flying.
Abstract:
Context: Patients hospitalized for surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) are adversely affected psychologically, with fury, anger, helplessness, anxiety, and depression being observed in patients. Anxiety in particular is a common problem, with an incidence of around 90%.
Objective: This study intended to determine the effects on patients’ anxiety and vital signs of the emotional freedom technique (EFT) and music before LDH surgery. Design • The research team designed a quasi-experimental study.
Setting: The research was carried out in the neurosurgery clinic of a university hospital in Turkey. Participants • Participants were 162 adult patients at the clinic who had LDH surgery between February 2018 and September 2019.
Intervention: Using the nonprobability sampling method, participants were allocated to one of three groups: (1) 54 to the music group, an intervention group; (2) 54 patients to the EFT group, an intervention group; and (3) 54 to the control group.
Outcome Measures: The Patient Information Form, the Life Findings Form, the Subjective Units of the Distress Scale (SUDS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Anxiety (STAI-S), were used to collect data. In the data analysis, the numbers, percentages, means, standard deviations, and chi-square values were found, and the t test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in the dependent and independent groups, respectively. The Tukey test was used for further analysis.
Results: EFT and music were determined to significantly reduce participants’ state anxiety and subjective discomfort (P < .001). EFT significantly reduced the pulse and respiratory rates and the systolic blood pressure, and music significantly lowered the diastolic and systolic blood pressures (P < .05). Further analyses showed that EFT was more effective on state anxiety and reducing the respiratory rate than music.
Conclusions: Both music and EFT before LDH surgery reduced anxiety and regulated vital signs, and EFT was found to be more effective than music in regulating anxiety and respiratory rate.
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Infectious disease outbreaks pose psychological challenges to the general population, and especially to healthcare workers. Nurses who work with COVID-19 patients are particularly vulnerable to emotions such as fear and anxiety, due to fatigue, discomfort, and helplessness related to their high intensity work. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of a brief online form of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in the prevention of stress, anxiety, and burnout in nurses involved in the treatment of COVID patients.
Methods: The study is a randomized controlled trial. It complies with the guidelines prescribed by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. It was conducted in a COVID-19 department at a university hospital in Turkey. We recruited nurses who care for patients infected with COVID-19 and randomly allocated them into an intervention group (n = 35) and a no-treatment control group (n = 37). The intervention group received one guided online group EFT session.
Results: Reductions in stress (p < .001), anxiety (p < .001), and burnout (p < .001) reached high levels of statistical significance for the intervention group. The control group showed no statistically significant changes on these measures (p > .05).
Conclusions: A single online group EFT session reduced stress, anxiety, and burnout levels in nurses treating COVID-19.
Abstract: World Health Organization reported depression as the fourth leading cause of mental illness worldwide and one of the leading causes of disabilities among adults. Living with depression may cause sleep deprivation, anxiety, stress and short-term memory loss. This is because the individual’s mind may be occupied with negative thoughts. Depression affects a person’s feelings, thinking, daily functioning, processing speed, memory, and executive functions. National Mental Health Survey of India in 2015-2016 reports that one in 20 Indians suffers from Depression. Earlier research indicated that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) represents a superior approach in treating mild to severe depression symptoms, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) received increased attention. The present study is in line with a study conducted in Australia in 2016 by Hannah Chatwin et al. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of EFT and CBT in the treatment of stress, anxiety and depression, short-term memory loss, psychophysiological coherence and heart rate in Indian young adults. Subjects (n = 14), selected at random, from Ahmedabad (a metro city) in India, were screened for stress, anxiety and depression using Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS21) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2). They were also screened for short term memory using Digit Span test, which allowed assessments of each participant’s initial complaints of forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating and confusion. Their psychophysiological coherence score and heart rate were recorded pre- and post- interventions using emWave system. These subjects were randomly assigned to an 8 once a week CBT or EFT treatment program. All participants were screened after 3 sessions, 5 sessions, 8 sessions and 6 months of follow up using DASS21, BDI2 and Digit Span Test. They were also screened after 1 month for stress, anxiety and depression using DASS21 and BDI2. Findings of the study depicted that both intervention approaches produced significant reductions in stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms and concurrent improvement in short-term memory (STM), psychophysiological coherence and heart rate. The EFT treatment produced marked improvement in depression after 3 sessions. After 8 weeks of intervention, the CBT group reported significant improvement in depression and short-term memory, while EFT intervention therapy showed significant improvement in depression state after 1 month and 6 months of follow up respectively. Examination of individual cases showed, clinically significant improvement in stress, anxiety, depression symptoms, short-term memory and psychophysiological coherence across both interventions. The results are consistent with the previous studies by Hannah Chatwin et al. (2016). Present findings suggest that EFT would be an effective intervention therapy in managing stress, anxiety, depression and STM and worthy of further investigation.
Abstract: World Health Organization reported depression as the fourth leading cause of mental illness worldwide and one of the leading causes of disabilities among adults. Living with depression may cause sleep deprivation, anxiety, stress and short-term memory loss. This is because the individual’s mind may be occupied with negative thoughts. Depression affects a person’s feelings, thinking, daily functioning, processing speed, memory, and executive functions. National Mental Health Survey of India in 2015-2016 reports that one in 20 Indians suffers from Depression. Earlier research indicated that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) represents a superior approach in treating mild to severe depression symptoms, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) received increased attention. The present study is in line with a study conducted in Australia in 2016 by Hannah Chatwin et al. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of EFT and CBT in the treatment of stress, anxiety and depression, short- term memory loss, psychophysiological coherence and heart rate in Indian young adults. Subjects (n = 14), selected at random, from Ahmedabad (a metro city) in India, were screened for stress, anxiety and depression using Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS21) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2). They were also screened for short term memory using Digit Span test, which allowed assessments of each participant’s initial complaints of forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating and confusion. Their psychophysiological coherence score and heart rate were recorded pre- and post- interventions using emWave system. These subjects were randomly assigned to an 8 once a week CBT or EFT treatment program. All participants were screened after 3 sessions, 5 sessions, 8 sessions and 6 months of follow up using DASS21, BDI2 and Digit Span Test. They were also screened after 1 month for stress, anxiety and depression using DASS21 and BDI2. Findings of the study depicted that both intervention approaches produced significant reductions in stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms and concurrent improvement in short-term memory (STM), psychophysiological coherence and heart rate. The EFT treatment produced marked improvement in depression after 3 sessions. After 8 weeks of intervention, the CBT group reported significant improvement in depression and short- term memory, while EFT intervention therapy showed significant improvement in depression state after 1 month and 6 months of follow up respectively. Examination of individual cases showed, clinically significant improvement in stress, anxiety, depression symptoms, short term memory and psychophysiological coherence across both interventions. The results are consistent with the previous studies by Hannah Chatwin et al. (2016). Present findings suggest that EFT would be an effective intervention therapy in managing stress, anxiety, depression and STM and worthy of further investigation.
Abstract: Elderly is a phase of reduced physical ability and the emergence of various diseases that affect psychological conditions, one of which is anxiety. The same thing is experienced by Further age who has low social support. Lack of attention and affection can increase anxiety. One therapy that can be used is the Emotional freedom technique (EFT). This study uses an experimental approach with the pretest-posttest control group design technique. The random sampling method is used to select 20 subjects based on several criteria. Based on the results of identification conducted by researchers found that 20 participants experienced high and moderate anxiety where 10 participants had moderate to high social support, while 10 participants had low social support. Subjects were divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The results showed that there was a very significant correlation between EFT and Anxiety which meant that the higher the EF value, the anxiety would decrease. The results of the second hypothesis are concluded that there is no difference in anxiety both of those who have high or low social support. Social support is also influenced by each individual's perception.
Abstract: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), more commonly known as tapping, is an emerging, research-based intervention that has been found to be an effective stress and anxiety management tool for students and school personnel. EFT uses cognitive behavior therapy techniques, such as awareness building, imaginal exposure, reframing of interpretation, and systematic desensitization, while teaching the individual to self-stimulate protocol-identified acupoints. The use of EFT with children and adolescents is relatively new, and therefore, research on its effectiveness is limited. Within the last decade, initial results have indicated that EFT assists students in reducing anxiety and the fear of failure and in improving self-esteem and compassion within a few sessions. This chapter examines relevant EFT research and the use of EFT with school-age children and adolescents. In addition, it discusses the importance of formal training in EFT for school practitioners and ethical considerations.
Abstract: As the rates of childhood anxiety increase and manifest at younger ages, children’s mental health and wellbeing have become growing issues for primary schools. The purpose of the current study was to implement and evaluate Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or tapping, as a class treatment that may support the social and emotional learning curriculum in primary schools. The Tapping Project was conducted as a longitudinal, evaluative study within a pragmatic framework, using mixed methods methodology, and assessed the effectiveness of EFT when used as a class intervention for student wellbeing. Several research questions were posed to explore the perceptions of students and teachers about using tapping as a class activity. Eight classes, consisting of 138 students and nine teachers across four schools, participated in the study. Following two 1-hour teacher training sessions and an introductory class lesson delivered by the researcher, teachers administered tapping sessions in classes 3 times a day for a period of 4 weeks. A second stage of 4-weeks tapping occurred in classes during the succeeding school term. Quantitative and qualitative measures found that EFT supports national educational social and emotional wellbeing curriculum, and may be a valuable inclusion in school programs. Results of the project revealed that both students and teachers thought tapping should be introduced to all students in primary schools. Thematic analysis was applied to both student and teacher data sets. Analyses found that tapping is a mechanism for change, tapping skills were transferable to other contexts and, similar to other interventions, tapping was not effective on each occasion. In addition to calming effects, students felt the benefits of tapping extended to focus and concentration and a reduction in physical discomfort. Students were more likely to develop intrinsic motivation for tapping when the psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness were met. The thesis presents other key findings and recommendations.
Abstract:
Background: The present work examines the extent to which Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is effective as a tool in resolving anxiety. In recent years various mental health professionals have been focusing on the use of alternative therapies like Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Hypnotherapy, Past Life Regression Therapy, and Reiki but there is a paucity of empirical research on the underlying factors for managing emotional challenges and turmoil.
Objective: One of the latest techniques, EFT, was established by Gary Craig. Case study method was used for the present case of one individual who had a very high level of anxiety.
Measures: To measure the level of anxiety Subjective Units of Discomfort (SUD) scale, as an introspective technique for experienced emotional and psychosomatic discomfort, was used as a pre and post measure.
Findings: Major findings were at two levels a) intensive effect of one traumatic event on the adult life (in this case anger leading to performance anxiety and fear of authority), and b) how EFT helps a person to understand and handle emotions in positive manner. The implication of the study is that the person who practices EFT regularly would be in a better position to understand and handle disturbing emotions. It is a cost effective, easy to learn, simple to use tapping technique that can be used anywhere, anytime, and any number of times in a day.
Abstract: Corona virus is a family of viruses that can cause a wide range of diseases. Nurses are among those who have to attend hospital settings due to their job nature and are exposed to suspected patients with Corona. so they experience high level of stress and anxiety. The" Emotional Freedom Technique"(EFT) is an alternative treatment for removing physical pain and emotional distress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of using EFT on anxiety of nurses during Corona outbreak. The present study was a clinical trial. The statistical population of the present study included all nurses working in hospitals. The data collection tool consisted of two sections demographic information and the Nursing Stress Scale NSS developed by Gray-Toft James Anderson. After entering the data into computer, they were analyzed through SPSS24 software and by paired T-tests and analysis of variance with repeated observations. The independent T-test showed that the mean work stress score in the case and control groups did not differ significantly before the intervention (p= 0.14). Analysis of variance with repeated observations showed that the mean work stress scores in the EFT training group were not the same in three times and there was a significant statistical difference among them (p< 0.001). Teaching EFT technique is very effective for nurses to reduce work stress by considering practical skills when exposed to stressful conditions.
Abstract: This research is a qualitative study that investigates the experience, symptoms and difficulties faced by people with phobias and the effectiveness of EFT-Emotional Freedom Techniques as a treatment method. Seven people who re- ceived an EFT session for their phobia participated in this survey. For the participants’ interviews, the researcher used a semi- structured interview guide and the Interpretation Phenomenological Analysis method to process the data. The results showed that EFT is a significant and effective treatment and self-assistance method, with a range of effects, possibly associated with a variety of factors. Specifically and practically, three people reported complete and immediate treatment, others mentioned improvement to varying degrees, while one did not comment. This research study aims to contribute to the bibliographic deficit on qualitative research concerning the EFT method. The findings could have significant expansions related to the individualized enhancement and application of EFT as a therapeutic method.
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Background: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), otherwise called tapping, is a developing psychological treatment based on tapping therapy that has been utilized to treat an assortment of conditions, including anxiety. Study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of emotional freedom technique as a tapping therapy for the treatment of anxiety among female university students.
Method: Quasi experimental design was used. Study was conducted at International Islamic University, from October 2018 to December 2018. Following convenience sampling, a sample of seventy female university students (N=70) with age range of 18 to 25 years was selected from International Islamic university, Islamabad out of 100 students (N=100) based on inclusion criteria. Following a pre-test and post-test design, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered before and after implementation of emotional freedom technique in order to determine the anxiety i-e State- Anxiety and Trait-Anxiety.
Results: For Data Analysis, in SPSS 23, paired sample t-test was used. Paired sample t-test indicated a significant pre and post test difference in the state and trait anxiety levels in female university students (p<.001).
Conclusion: Thus, using Emotional freedom technique as a tapping therapy can decrease state and trait anxiety among university students.
Abstract: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an evidence-based self-help therapeutic method and over 100 studies demonstrate its efficacy. However, information about the physiological effects of EFT is limited. The current study sought to elucidate EFTs mechanisms of action across the central nervous system (CNS) by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and heart coherence (HC); the circulatory system using resting heart rate (RHR) and blood pressure (BP); the endocrine system using cortisol, and the immune system using salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA). The second aim was to measure psychological symptoms. Participants (N = 203) were enrolled in a 4-day training workshop held in different locations. At one workshop (n = 31), participants also received comprehensive physiological testing. Posttest, significant declines were found in anxiety (−40%), depression (−35%), posttraumatic stress disorder (−32%), pain (−57%), and cravings (−74%), all P < .000. Happiness increased (+31%, P = .000) as did SigA (+113%, P = .017). Significant improvements were found in RHR (−8%, P = .001), cortisol (−37%, P < .000), systolic BP (−6%, P = .001), and diastolic BP (−8%, P < .000). Positive trends were observed for HRV and HC and gains were maintained on follow-up, indicating EFT results in positive health effects as well as increased mental well-being.
Abstract:
Aim: Over 100 studies and meta-analyses of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) demonstrate it to be an evidence-based treatment for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. EFT combines elements of common treatments such as exposure and cognitive therapy with the novel ingredient of acupressure. This study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure brain activity in a subject with a severe fear of flying.
Materials and Methods: Before and after treatment and at 4 week follow-up, the participant was presented with both visual images and personal memories that evoked her phobia. These were compared with emotionally neutral controls. Psychometric measures included the Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) scale and Flight-Anxiety Situations questionnaire (FAS). Posttest SUD and FAS scores were reduced compared to the pretest, though gains were maintained on follow-up for SUD scores only.
Results: MEG data revealed an event-related beta desynchronization (15-30 Hz) during all experimental sessions and conditions. A linear regression analysis showed that heightened activation of a fronto-occipital cortical and cortico-cerebellar network predicted SUD scores. The results are consistent with those found in medication and psychotherapy studies of phobias and anxiety. EFT increased the ability to engage brain’s frontal executive regions mediating limbic responses appraisal to stressful stimuli. EFT also downregulated the activity of limbic and cerebellar regions implicated in the fear response.
Conclusion: This study pioneers the methodology required to conduct randomized controlled trials with robust experimental designs, and identifies brain areas that are targets of interest for future research.
Abstract: Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorders worldwide resulting in a great demand of adequate and cost‐effective treatment. New short‐term interventions can be used as an effective adjunct or alternative to pharmaco and psychotherapy. One of these approaches is therapeutic tapping. It combines somatic stimulation of acupressure points with elements from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Tapping reduces anxiety symptoms after only one session. Anxiety is associated with a deficient emotion regulation for threatening stimuli. These deficits are compensated e.g., by CBT. Whether Tapping can also elicit similar modulations and which dynamic neural correlates are affected was subject to this study. Anxiety patients were assessed listening to pseudowords with a different emotional prosody (happy, angry, fearful, and neutral) prior and after one Tapping session. The emotion‐related component Late Positive Potential (LPP) was investigated via electroencephalography. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) served as control intervention. Results showed LPP reductions for negative stimuli after the interventions. Interestingly, PMR influenced fearful and Tapping altered angry prosody. While PMR generally reduced arousal for fearful prosody, Tapping specifically affected fear‐eliciting, angry stimuli, and might thus be able to reduce anxiety symptoms. Findings highlight the efficacy of Tapping and its impact on neural correlates of emotion regulation.
Abstract: Problems that can be rendered by hemodialysis include anxiety, relationships in marriage, and disobedience in diet and medicine, limitations in lifestyle and threat of death. The purpose of this study was to find out the effectiveness comparison between the Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) with autogenic relaxation to decrease the anxiety scale of hemodialysis patients. The research design employed Quasy Experiment Without Control Group Design. The results of independent t-test analysis in the Emotional Spiritual intervention group Freedom Technique (SEFT) obtained results p = 0,000, in the Autogenic Relaxation intervention group the results were p = 0,000. The results of the independent t-test analysis showed that p = 0.184. The study indicates that there was no difference between the Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) and Autogenic Relaxation on decreasing the anxiety scale of hemodialysis patients. It is looked forward that the Hospital can enforce independent interventions such as Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) and Autogenic Relaxation to degrade the anxiety scale of hemodialysis patients.
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Abstract: Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety. The current study sought to elucidate the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in a nonclinical population. The sample (N = 81) comprised participants at five 2-day EFT workshops. All groups used an EFT protocol called Borrowing Benefits, in which the group facilitator works with a single client while other participants self-apply EFT. Participants were assessed on 9 specific conditions as well as on the breadth (Positive Symptom Total [PST]) and depth (General Symptom Index [GSI]) of psychological distress. Physical pain and addictive cravings were also assessed. Significant reductions were observed in all measures (P < .03). Associations between PST, GSI, and PTSD were significant (P < .026). Participants maintained all gains at 6-month follow-up (P < .02) with the exception of the Hostility subscale, while Cohen’s d 1⁄4 0.54 indicated a moderate treatment effect for PTSD. The relationship between psychological and physiological conditions identified in this study is consistent with that found in other studies. Group treatment is cost-effective and efficient, and the efficacy of EFT in groups indicates the utility of the Borrowing Benefits technique.
Abstract: Gifted students can encounter anxiety-provoking stressors throughout their day. Developing effective anxiety management skills allows them to better navigate these challenges. Concepts from neuroscience help us better understand responses to anxiety and can assist gifted youth and those working with them in recognizing how and when to best apply anxiety management strategies. This article reviews these concepts and integrating them into the classroom environment to assist with this learning process. In addition, it examines an evidenced-based anxiety management intervention that has been found to be efficacious for gifted youth, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Results of recent EFT research are reviewed and the steps to learning EFT are outlined
Abstract: WHO places Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), or depression, as the fourth leading cause of mental disability world-wide. According to a survey done by WHO in February 2017, found 7.5% of Indians suffer from major or minor mental disorders requiring expert intervention. National Mental Health Survey of India in 2015-2016 reports that one in 20 Indians suffer from Depression especially women in the age-group of 40-49 years suffers more. Earlier research indicated that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) represents a superior approach in treating mild to severe depression symptoms. Whereas Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has received increased attention. The present study is in line with a study conducted in Australia in 2016 by Hannah Chatwin et al. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of CBT and EFT in the treatment of anxiety and depression in Indian adults. Random subjects (n = 10) were selected from Ahmedabad, India who were screened positive for anxiety disorder and depression using Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS21) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2). These subjects were randomly assigned to an 8 week CBT or EFT treatment program with 1 session per week. All participants were screened after 3 sessions, 5 sessions, 8 sessions and after 1 month of follow up using DASS21 and BDI2. Findings of the study depict that both intervention approaches produce significant reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms. The EFT treatment produced marked improvement in depression after 3 sessions. After 8 weeks of intervention, the CBT group reported significant improvement in depression while EFT intervention therapy showed significant results after 1 month of follow up. Examination of individual cases showed clinically significant improvement in anxiety and depression across both interventions. The results are consistent with the previous studies by Hannah Chatwin et al. (2016). Present findings suggest that EFT is of paramount importance as pivotal tool in managing anxiety and depression in Indian population.
Abstract: By the nature of their professional training and practice placements, social work students are prone to situations provoking the onset of anxiety. A programme of academic and placement support, termed the ‘Skills Lab’, provides help and support for students to develop their communication skills and prepare for their practice placements and transition into professional social work practice. Skills Lab evaluations indicated a high level of appreciation, linked with a strong sense of apprehension and anxiety, which some students report has negatively affected their performance. To address student anxiety, a pilot study using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) was developed. EFT is an intervention, which may potentially be effective in reducing academic anxiety and enhancing public speaking. This mixed-methods pilot study measured participants’ (n = 45) subjective distress and anxiety before and after using EFT. Subjective distress/anxiety was invoked through a 15-min assignment lecture. Twelve of the 45 students also participated in one-one interviews to elaborate on their experiences of EFT. Quantitative findings indicated participants reported significantly less subjective distress and anxiety after using EFT. Qualitative findings indicated three themes whereby participants found EFT calming, relaxing and helpful; considered the transferability of EFT in other settings; and proposed some of the mechanisms of EFT’s action.
Abstract:
Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to compare the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with that of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in reducing adolescent anxiety.
Design: Randomized controlled study.
Settings: This study took place in 10 schools (8 public/2 private; 4 high schools/6 middle schools) in 2 northeastern states in the United States.
Participants: Sixty-three high-ability students in grades 6-12, ages 10-18 years, who scored in the moderate to high ranges for anxiety on the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale-2 (RCMAS-2) were randomly assigned to CBT (n = 21), EFT (n = 21), or waitlist control (n = 21) intervention groups.
Interventions: CBT is the gold standard of anxiety treatment for adolescent anxiety. EFT is an evidence-based treatment for anxiety that incorporates acupoint stimulation. Students assigned to the CBT or EFT treatment groups received three individual sessions of the identified protocols from trained graduate counseling, psychology, or social work students enrolled at a large northeastern research university.
Outcome Measures: The RCMAS-2 was used to assess pre-intervention and post-intervention anxiety levels in participants.
Results: EFT participants (n = 20; M = 52.16, SD = 9.23) showed significant reduction in anxiety levels compared with the waitlist control group (n = 21; M = 57.93, SD = 6.02) (p = 0.005, d = 0.74, 95% CI [-9.76, -1.77]) with a moderate to large effect size. CBT participants (n = 21; M = 54.82, SD = 5.81) showed reduction in anxiety but did not differ significantly from the EFT (p = 0.18, d = 0.34; 95% CI [-6.61, 1.30]) or control (p = 0.12, d = 0.53, 95% CI [-7.06, .84]).
Conclusions: EFT is an efficacious intervention to significantly reduce anxiety for high-ability adolescents.
Abstract: Anxiety and depression are highly prevalent disorders that result in human suffering. The consequences to the individual include increased health care utilization, disability, and decreased income; depression, at its current prevalence, impacts global economic output as well. Access Bars, a noninvasive energy therapy technique, was evaluated for its effects on anxiety and depression using both subjective self-report and objective brain-scanning measures.
Methods: Participants, N = 7, aged 25–68, were assessed as having mild to severe anxiety and/or depression. The assessment methods were standardized self-report measures: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI II), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Maryland State and Trait Depression (MTSD) scale. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data were acquired for objective analysis of brain function via QEEG and sLORETA. Evaluations were performed prior to one 90-minute Access Bars session and immediately following the session. All participants tested positive for trait anxiety on pretest.
Results: Lower scores were reported in all self-report measures post session. BAI mean scores dropped from 23.3 to 3.6 (–84.7%), p = 0.004. BDI II mean scores were reduced from 22.3 to 3.9 (–82.7%), p = 0.02. STAI-S (State) means dropped from 38.9 to 25.9 (–33.5%), p = 0.027. MTSD-S (State) means were reduced from 23.6 to 4.7 (–80%), p = 0.015. Brain maps derived from QEEG results showed notable changes in frequency bands from 6 Hz (theta) to 21 Hz (beta). These frequency bands in pretest results showed extreme values of –3 to –1 standard deviations (SD) below the norm and changed toward normal in posttest results. QEEG FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) Z Score coherence paired t-tests demonstrated an improvement in QEEG coherence, p < 0.05.
Conclusion: Treatment with Access Bars was associated with a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression and an increase in EEG coherence. These results suggest that Access Bars may be useful as a treatment for anxiety and depression
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Background: Anxiety is common in patients awaiting surgical procedures. It typically begins as soon as the procedure is planned and continues to the day of surgery. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based method called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for anxiety among women undergoing obstetric and gynecological (OBG) surgeries.
Methods: Women admitted for OBG surgeries were selected through consecutive sampling. Preinterventional anxiety was assessed using the Modified Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, which has subscales for psychological and somatic anxiety. Fifty participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for moderate to severe anxiety were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. Participants in the experimental group received two 10-minute sessions of EFT, the first session on the day prior to surgery and the second session on the day of surgery. Both groups received treatment as usual (TAU). Post anxiety scores were assessed immediately before participants were shifted to the operating theater.
Results: The two groups were similar at baseline. While there was no change in anxiety in the control group, anxiety scores in the EFT group dropped from 27.28 (± 2.47) to 7.60 (± 2.00) and were highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Reductions in both psychological and somatic anxiety subscales were also significant (p < 0.002).
Conclusion: EFT is a simple, cost effective, and evidence-based method that can be used in reducing the anxiety of patients undergoing surgery.
Abstract: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in the treatment of depression and comorbid anxiety. Intervention subjects were local community members who screened positive for a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (N = 10). Intervention subjects were randomly assigned to an 8-week CBT or EFT treatment program. A community sample was assessed for comparative purposes (N = 57). Findings revealed both treatment approaches produced significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with the CBT group reporting a significant reduction at post-intervention that was not maintained over time, while the EFT group reported a delayed effect involving a significant reduction in symptoms at three- and six-month follow-up only. Examination of individual cases revealed clinically significant improvements in anxiety across both interventions. Overall, findings provide evidence to suggest that EFT may be an effective treatment strategy worthy of further investigation.
Abstract: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) combines elements of exposure and cognitive therapies with acupressure for the treatment of psychological distress. Randomized controlled trials retrieved by literature search were assessed for quality using the criteria developed by the APA’s Division 12 Task Force on Empirically Validated Treatments. As of December 2015, 14 studies (n=658) met inclusion criteria. Results were analyzed using an inverse variance weighted meta-analysis. The pre-post effect size for the EFT treatment group was 1.23 (95% CI: 0.82-1.64, p < 0.001), while the effect size for combined controls was 0.41 (0.17-0.67, p=0.001). EFT treatment demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety scores, even when accounting for the effect size of control treatment. However, there was too little data available comparing EFT to standard of care treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and further research is needed to establish the relative efficacy of EFT to established protocols.
Abstract: Stress and anxiety have been identified as significant issues experienced by student nurses during their education. In fact, some studies have suggested that the stress experienced by nursing students is greater than that experienced by medical students, other non-nursing healthcare students, degreed nurses, and the female population in general. Recently there has been interest in the role of energy therapies in reducing anxiety and stress. A recently introduced energy type therapy is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). EFT combines the tapping of meridian points with a focus on the feared object or negative emotion to provide desensitization to the fear. In addition, there is repetition of a statement of self-acceptance, suggested to contribute to cognitive restructuring. EFT is currently receiving much attention in the treatment of compulsive behavior, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of EFT in decreasing anxiety and stress in a convenience sample of nursing students enrolled in an associate degree nursing program. Utilizing a one group pretest-posttest design, participants received group instruction in the technique and were encouraged to repeat it daily. Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, pretest State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). STAI and PSS were re-administered at the second, third and the fourth week. A qualitative questionnaire was also administered at the end of the 4 weeks. The qualitative data provided participant feedback rich in expression of improved feelings of calm, relaxation, and diminished agitation and tension. Notably some participants also identified a decrease in negative somatic symptoms as well as an improved ability to fall asleep. Most participants also described that the technique provided them with a feeling of control over stress and anxiety, another tool for stress management and coping. For PSS data the reduction in self-reported stress was profound with a mean difference baseline to week 4 of 5.677 (p<.005). PSS data supported claims in the literature that the stress experienced by nursing students is greater than that reported by the female population in general. For STAI state data, reduction in anxiety when comparing baseline to week 4 was also profound with a mean difference of 13.033 (p<.005). Similar to PSS and STAI state results, the reduction in STAI trait scores baseline compared to week 4 was also considerable with a mean difference of 7.533 (p<.05). This result is surprising and differs with expectations and results in the literature, since trait anxiety is expected to be more stable over time. Findings suggested that EFT can be an effective tool for stress management and anxiety relief in nursing students. The ease and convenience of the technique further enhanced by its immediate impact are valued benefits. Utilization of effective stress management techniques may improve retention of nursing students. Improved academic and professional retention is critical in nursing and in healthcare. The benefit of effective coping techniques are expected to carry over as nursing students move to practice, increasing resilience, successful health maintenance and professional longevity.
Abstract: Anxiety in mathematics is a critical challenge facing secondary school students in Nigeria. Previous studies with focus on the improvement of this challenge are scarce. Specifically, there is a paucity of studies using numerical cognition and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in solving the above challenges. This study therefore investigated the effects of numerical cognition and EFT on mathematics anxiety among non-science students with pseudo- dyscalculia in Oyo State. Pretest, posttest, control group quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. One hundred and two students were sampled through simple random sampling. Mathematics Anxiety Scale (alpha = 0.89), Mathematics Efficacy (alpha = 0.86), and Pseudo-Dyscalculia Scale (alpha = 0.93) were administered to obtain data for the study. Therapeutic packages used for the intervention were numerical cognition and EFT. Seven hypotheses were tested at 0.01 level of significance. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The study revealed main effect of treatment on mathematics anxiety; F (2,109) = 173.020, p < 0.01. Meridian-based intervention (EFT) was more effective (mean = 33.78) than numerical cognition (mean = 45.35) in the reduction of mathematics anxiety. There was a significant main effect F(1, 109 = 21.00, p < 0.01), interactive effect F(2, 109 = 6.116, p < 0.01). of mathematics efficacy and treatment of mathematics anxiety of the participants. The two packages were effective in reducing mathematics anxiety among the participants. Based on the findings, educational psychologists, counseling psychologists, and other educational related bodies could adopt the packages for educational diagnosis to improve academic performance of students with academic phobia.
Abstract: A randomized controlled trial of veterans with clinical levels of PTSD symptoms found significant improvements after Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Although pain, depression, and anxiety were not the primary targets of treatment, significant improvements in these conditions were noted. Subjects (N = 59) received six sessions of EFT coaching supplementary to primary care. They were assessed using the SA-45, which measures nine mental health symptom domains and also has two general scales measuring the breadth and depth of psychological distress. Anxiety and depression both reduced significantly, as did the breadth and depth of psychological symptoms. Pain decreased significantly during the intervention period (−41%, p < .0001). Subjects were followed up at three and six months, revealing significant relationships between PTSD, depression, and anxiety at several assessment points. At follow-up, pain remained significantly lower than at pretest. The results of this study are consistent with other reports showing that, as PTSD symptoms are reduced, general mental health improves, and pain levels drop. The ability of EFT to produce reliable and long-term gains after relatively brief interventions indicates its utility in reducing the estimated trillion-dollar cost of treating veteran mental health disorders in the coming years.
Abstract: Anxiety can cause many concerns for those affected, and previous research on anxiety and gifted students has been inconclusive. This study examined the anxiety levels of gifted students, as well as the effectiveness of two interventions: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Using the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale-2 (RCMAS-2) to measure students’ anxiety levels, Phase I of this study examined anxiety in gifted youth (n = 153) participating in private and public gifted education programs, grades 6 -12, in two Northeastern states. ANOVAs were used to assess differences in the anxiety levels, and results indicated that gender (F [1, 149] = 13.52, p < .001, 2 = .08) and school setting (F [2, 149] = 21.41, p < .001, 2 = .23) were significant factors in the anxiety levels of the gifted students in this study. In Phase II, a randomized controlled research design was used to investigate the effectiveness of CBT and EFT interventions for gifted adolescents. Utilizing permuted randomized assignment, participants (n = 63) identified with moderate to high levels of anxiety on the pre treatment RCMAS-2 were assigned to one of three treatment groups: a) CBT, the current gold standard of anxiety treatment, b) EFT, an innovative modality presently showing increased efficacy in anxiety treatment, and c) a wait-listed control group. Students assigned to CBT or EFT treatment groups received three individual sessions of the identified therapy from upper-level counseling, psychology, or social work students enrolled in graduate programs at a large Northeastern research university. Treatment outcomes were measured by administration of the RCMAS-2 post treatment and analyzed using ANCOVA with pre treatment RCMAS-2 scores serving as the covariate. Using a Bonferroni correction of p = .016, EFT participants (n = 20, M = 52.163, SE = 1.42) showed significant reduction in anxiety levels when compared to the control group (n = 21, M = 57.93, SE = 1.39, p = .005). CBT participants (n = 21, M = 54.82, SE = 1.38) did not differ significantly from either the EFT or control groups (p = .12 and p = .18, respectively).
Abstract: Objectives: Previous research has shown Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to be effective in reducing presentation anxiety in student populations. Generalizability is a critical issue in research, and this study compared whether EFT is as effective in a cohort of younger, predominantly male students undertaking a sports science degree as in a cohort of all female, predominantly older complementary therapy students undertaking a foundation degree in complementary therapy. Method: Two convenience samples of students were used. A cohort of students undertaking a foundation degree in complementary therapy (also known as CAM or Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and a cohort of students undertaking a sports science degree were informed of the research and invited to give their informed consent. Those who agreed were given a 15-min assignment workshop outlining the requirements for their assessed presentation by their module leads (authors Carryer and Boath). Results: Table 1 shows the sociodemographic details of each student cohort. There was a significant difference in gender and age between the two cohorts of students. Men were predominant in the sports science degree group, whereas the complementary therapy group were all women. Complementary therapy students were also significantly older. Discussion: This study demonstrates that EFT is effective in reducing presentation anxiety in cohorts of students regardless of age or gender. The findings are remarkably similar to previous research (Boath et al., 2012a, 2012b, 2013). Conclusions: The results demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in anxiety level for both cohorts of students, as well as a clinically significant reduction in anxiety for the sports science students.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate if thought field therapy (TFT) has an impact on anxiety symptoms in patients with a variety of anxiety disorders.
Design: Forty-five patients were randomized to either TFT (N=23) or a waiting list (N=22) condition. The wait-list group was reassessed and compared with the TFT group two and a half months after the initial evaluation. After the reassessment, the wait-list patients received treatment with TFT. All 45 patients were followed-up one to two weeks after TFT treatment, as well as at three and 12 months post-treatment.
Subjects: Patients with an anxiety disorder, mostly outpatients.
Intervention: Thought field therapy aims to influence the body’s bioenergy field by tapping on specific points along energy meridians, thereby relieving anxiety and other symptoms. Outcome Measures: Symptom Checklist 90-Revised, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Sheehan Disability Scale.
Results: Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to compare the TFT and the wait-list group.
The TFT group had a significantly better outcome on two measures of anxiety and one measure of function. Follow-up data for all patients taken together showed a significant decline in all symptoms during the one to two weeks between the pre-treatment and the post- treatment assessments. The significant improvement seen after treatment was maintained at the three and 12 months assessments.
Conclusion: The results suggest that thought field therapy (TFT) may have an enduring anxiety- reducing effect.
Abstract: This study examined whether self-intervention with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), a brief exposure therapy that combines a cognitive and a somatic element, had an effect on healthcare workers’ psychological distress symptoms. Participants were 216 attendees at 5 professional conferences. Psychological distress, as measured by the SA-45, and self-rated pain, emotional distress, and craving were assessed before and after 2-hours of self-applied EFT, utilizing a within-subjects design. A 90-day follow-up was completed by 53% of the sample with 61% reporting using EFT subsequent to the workshop. Significant improvements were found on all distress subscales and ratings of pain, emotional distress, and cravings at posttest (all p<.001). Gains were maintained at follow-up for most SA-45 scales. The severity of psychological symptoms was reduced (-45%, p<.001) as well as the breadth (-40%, p<.001), with significant gains maintained at follow-up. Greater subsequent EFT use correlated with a greater decrease in symptom severity at follow-up (p<.034, r=.199), but not in breadth of symptoms (p<.0117, r=.148). EFT provided an immediate effect on psychological distress, pain, and cravings that was replicated across multiple conferences and healthcare provider samples.
Abstract: Protocols to treat veterans with brief courses of therapy are required, in light of the large numbers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with depression, anxiety, PTSD and other psychological problems. This observational study examined the effects of six sessions of EFT on seven veterans, using a within-subjects, time-series, repeated measures design. Participants were assessed using a well-validated instrument, the SA-45, which has general scales measuring the depth and severity of psychological symptoms. It also contains subscales for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, phobic anxiety, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia, psychosis, and somatization. Participants were assessed before and after treatment, and again after 90 days. Interventions were done by two different practitioners using a standardized form of EFT to address traumatic combat memories. Symptom severity decreased significantly by 40% (p<.001), anxiety decreased 46% (p<.001), depression 49% (p<.001), and PTSD 50% (p<.016). These gains were maintained at the 90-day follow-up.
Abstract: In an ongoing in-house investigation conducted by 11 allied clinics in Argentina and Uruguay, the progress of 5,000 anxiety patients was tracked over a 5-1/2 year period. Half were randomly assigned to the clinics’ standard protocol for anxiety disorders, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with anti-anxiety medication as needed. The other half received acupoint tapping with imaginal exposure but no anti-anxiety medication. Raters did not know which treatment a patient received. Improvement was found in 90% of the acupoint tapping group and 63% of the CBT group, with complete relief of symptoms at 76% for acupoint tapping and 51% for CBT. One-year follow-up samplings predicted that 78% sustained the benefits from acupoint tapping and 69% from CBT. In a sub-study of 190 of the patients who were treated successfully, an average of three acupoint tapping sessions were required before the anxious condition was no longer present while an average of 15 CBT sessions were required. Limitations of the study include that it was always conceived of as a preliminary investigation and was never submitted for journal review, record-keeping was relatively informal, some variables were not strictly monitored, source data was not always retained, and outcome assessments were subjective ratings.
Abstract: The effectiveness of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a treatment for anxiety and fear, was assessed. One hundred nineteen university students were assigned and tested in an independent four-group design. The groups differed in the treatment each received: applied treatment of EFT (Group EFT); a placebo treatment (Group P); a modeling treatment (Group M); and a control (Group C). Participants' self-reported baseline and post-treatment ratings of fear were measured. Group EFT showed a significant decrease in self-report measures at post-treatment. However, Group P and Group M showed a similar significant decrease. Group C did not show a significant decrease in post-treatment fear ratings. These results do not support the idea that the purported benefits of EFT are uniquely dependent on the "tapping of meridians." Rather, these results suggest that the reported effectiveness of EFT is attributable to characteristics it shares with more traditional therapies.
Abstract: Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is a self-administered treatment developed by psychologist Roger Callahan. TFT uses energy meridian treatment points and bilateral optical–cortical stimulation while focusing on the targeted symptoms or problem being addressed. The clinical applications of TFT summarized included anxiety, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, anxiety due to medical condition, anger, acute stress, bereavement, chronic pain, cravings, depression, fatigue, nausea, neurodermatitis, obsessive traits, panic disorder without agoraphobia, parent–child stress, phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, relationship stress, trichotillomania, tremor, and work stress. This uncontrolled study reports on changes in self-reported Subjective Units of Distress (SUD; Wolpe, 1969) in 1,594 applications of TFT, treating 714 patients. Paired t-tests of pre- and posttreatment SUD were statistically significant in 31 categories reviewed. These within-session decreases of SUD are preliminary data that call for controlled studies to examine validity, reliability, and maintenance of effects over time. Illustrative case and heart rate variability data are presented.
Panik
Abstract:
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of EFT on panic.
Methods: Three patients with panic disorders were treated with oriental medical treatments which involved acupuncture, herbal medications, moxibustion and emotional freedom techniques. Participants were diagnosed with panic disorder using, the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV), and assessed with the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) upon admission and discharge.
Results: After treatment, both physical and psychological symptoms decreased.
Conclusions: This study suggested that EFT is an effective method for treating patients with panic disorders.
Prüfungsangst
Vortragsangst
Autismus
Abstract:
The effects of a stress reduction Thought field therapy protocol vs. a control-stimulation protocol on general stress, parenting stress, and empathy (perspective taking) were explored in this mixed-model, randomized control study. Parents of children with autism, from Israel and the USA, showed reduced general stress and an increase in perspective taking following the intervention, as measured by self-reports. Parenting stress partially mediated the effect of TFT on perspective taking. There were no additional changes during the follow-up period. Participants with personality characteristics of the broad autism phenotype presented at baseline higher general and parenting-related stress scores, and lower perspective taking scores, regardless of their intervention group. The finding suggests that perspective taking is part of the broad autism phenotype (BAP). TFT was effective, regardless of participants’ BAP status.
Burnout
Abstract:
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has been the subject of much research over the past decade, with many studies of conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression showing significant treatment effects. In addition to elements drawn from established cognitive and exposure therapies, EFT uses the manual stimulation of acupuncture points (acupressure) through fingertip tapping. This study investigated the utility of EFT to address professional burnout in a population of school teachers. Participants were K–12 full time, public school teachers. They were assessed usingthe Maslach Burnout Inventory, which has three scales: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment. EFT was compared to a control condition that used sham tapping on a location on the forearm that does not include any acupuncture points. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between the two conditions, the study did not randomize participants within a single population. Instead, to minimize contact between experimental and control participants, the two samples were drawn from different school districts with similar demographic profiles in the same county. One hundred teachers were randomly selected from each district, of which 126 completed all assessments. Data analysis revealed that on all three indicators of burnout measured, EFT was significantly superior to the sham tapping control (p > .05). The results are consistent with earlier dismantling studies and indicate that acupoint tapping is an active ingredient in the therapeutic results obtained from EFT and not a placebo. EFT is inexpensive, easy to administer, and could be added to teacher mentor and retention programs to improve resiliency. A positive impact on teachers whose level of burnout is either negatively affecting the educational environment or has caused them to consider leaving the profession will help nurture and retain valuable assets for student learning.
Covid 19
Abstract:
Objective: Emergency-department (ED) staff may experience psychologic distress due to the stressful nature of their work. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this distress. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) tapping, a somatic psychophysiologic intervention combining vibratory acupressure with elements of cognitive–behavioral and exposure therapies, can reduce psychologic distress. This study tested the short-term effect of 10-minute EFT tapping on the psychologic distress of pediatric ED staff responding to COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic, diverse staff in the pediatric ED of a New York City teaching hospital participated in this single-group study. A licensed creative arts therapist led participants in 10-minute EFT tapping sessions. A self-report questionnaire with 7 items based on the Trauma Exposure Response framework was administered immediately pre- and postintervention. Standardized mean differences between both timepoints were calculated.
Results: There were statistically significant reductions for 6 of the 7 items studied, including stress (3.32–2.14), obsessive and intrusive thoughts (2.50–1.85), feelings of pressure (3.20–2.17), loneliness (1.84–1.44), and emotional and physical pain (2.28–1.70); all P < 0.001. No significant changes in professional satisfaction were reported following the intervention.
Conclusions: Despite the limitations of a single-arm study design, a 10-minute brief EFT tapping session was a promising way to reduce short-term psychologic distress in pediatric ED health care workers. Future studies, including rigorous randomized controlled trials, are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of brief EFT tapping interventions in other settings.
Abstract: This study compared the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), emotional freedom technique (EFT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating PTSD in patients who recovered from Covid-19 in Tabriz (Iran). The present study was quasi- experimental based on a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population included all female patients recovered from Covid-19 aged 25 to 60 years in Tabriz in 2021. forty-eight patients sampled using the purposeful sampling method and diagnosed with PTSD were randomly assigned to three experimental groups(n=36) and one control group(n=12).
Participants in EMDR and EFT sessions were treated individually in six 45 min sessions. Similarly, those who took part in the CBT sessions were treated in groups in 45 min sessions. All participants were evaluated in two pre-test and post-test stages by a post-traumatic stress disorder checklist. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using the analysis of covariance. Post-test PTSDA scores were significantly reduced in three experimental groups (P <0.05). Additionally, a reduction in PTSD scores in the EMDR group was substantially more significant than in the CBT and EFT groups.
Conclusion: Three psychotherapies, EMDR, EFT and CBT, relieved the symptoms in PTSD patients. However, according to the post-test results, EMDR intervention was more effective than CBT and EFT psychotherapy in reducing PTSD symptoms. Since all three methods can improve behavioral strategies by influencing irrational thoughts and emotion release, they are effective ways to reduce PTSD.
Abstract: Parosmia is a disorder of scent that has affected millions of people worldwide following their recovery from COVID-19. Parosmia post COVID-19 can be long-term and has a negative impact on quality of life. Despite this there is limited evidence for effective treatment strategies. This retrospective case report details the use of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to address parosmia following COVID-19 with a single client over three sessions. The sessions addressed specific food, drink, and odors that were having a major negative impact on the client’s quality of life, psychological well-being, physical health, weight, and relationships. By the end of the three sessions, the client was able to tolerate certain scents and eat foods that the client selected to tap on. The client’s quality of life improved to the point where she was able to eat, go out to restaurants, socialize, and ultimately return to work. Whether EFT can be successfully applied to other people experiencing parosmia following COVID-19 or parosmia caused by other conditions is not clear and requires further research.
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on various aspects, including mental health, especially for people confirmed positive for COVID-19. People who are positively confirmed for COVID-19 tend to experience decreased immunity caused by feelings of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. emotional freedom technology (EFT) therapy has been proven to reduce mental health disorders but has never been applied to people who are positively confirmed for COVID-19. This study aimed to examine the effect of EFT therapy on mental health disorders (anxiety, depression, and insomnia) in COVID-19 patients in Pontianak City. This research method is quantitative with a quasi-experimental design in the COVID-19 isolation area provided by the Pontianak City government, namely Upelkes and Rusunawa in June 2021. The total sampling was employed consisting of 42 people. A validated questionnaire on anxiety, depression, and insomnia was employed as a research instrument. A repeated ANOVA test was used to analyze research data. The results showed that EFT therapy was effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and insomnia scores in positively confirmed people for COVID19 (p-value <0.05). EFT therapy can overcome mental health disorders experienced by people who are positively confirmed for COVID-19 and as an alternative therapy to speed up the healing process.
Abstract: The study's major goal was to determine whether lockdowns, remote learning, and other significant changes brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic caused students at a locally supported institution in Laguna to feel depressed, anxious, or stressed. Students enrolled from 2020 to the present or during the pandemic's duration made comprised the study's participants. This was a quasi-experimental design. It was designed to find out if students were displaying signs of stress, anxiety, or depression. An intervention, Emotional Freedom Technique, has been used to mitigate and address their degree of depression, anxiety, and stress. The participants' age, sex, course, and year level demographics were also noted. The research used simple random sampling and the researcher called all the participants who met the criteria. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) was utilized to determine their level of symptoms. Moderate to extremely severe symptoms had been invited to participate in the experiment. Volunteered participants had been assigned to three experimental groups namely depression group, anxiety, and stress. Forty-five (45) participants had been subjected to 16 (sixteen) sessions of online intervention with a total of 48 sessions for three groups with an interval post-test within the sessions. Fortunately, after 16 sessions of the emotional freedom technique, the participants in the anxiety group had a baseline of 16.69 mean or severe but after three post-tests they became better as revealed by the last post- test mean of 4.84 or normal. As to depression, they had 22.77 mean or severe, but after sessions it was now 10.38 mean or mild. The participants had 25.50 mean or severe but afterwards 8.70 mean or normal in the stress group. Since quantifiable data has demonstrated how well the emotional liberation technique works, the hypothesis that it is ineffective for reducing the participants' levels of sadness, anxiety, and stress symptoms was rejected. Nevertheless, the researcher will create an intervention called "Psychological Acupuncture for Comfort" as the output for the study.
Abstract: This systematic review’s primary aim is to examine the interventional studies on the mental health of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the secondary aim is to determine the interventions that can be planned for future pandemics. For this, databases were searched, and a total of 12 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included. It was determined that most of the studies were conducted online due to pandemic restrictions. The effects of the interventions (diaphragmatic breathing relaxation, emotional freedom techniques, sending motivational messages, a mobile wellness program, acceptance and commitment therapy, a neuro- meditation program, laughter yoga, gong meditation, distant Reiki, e-aid cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based breathing, and music therapy) on the parameters affecting the mental health of the nurses working actively in the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. In these studies, the interventions applied to nurses were seen to have positive results on mental health and well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic, which is a traumatic experience for healthcare professionals, shows that more interventional studies are needed to protect and improve the mental health of nurses who take care of critically ill patients during difficult times.
Abstract:
Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has been a significant public health problem due to its high mortality and morbidity rates, has particularly affected the fear and anxiety levels of health professionals. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on the anxiety and fear of COVID-19 levels of nurses in the emergency department.
Methods: This study was designed in line with a pre-and post-test, two-group methodology. A total of 88 partici- pants (experimental group, 44; control group, 44) were included in this study. Data were collected using the following four tools: Questionnaire Form, Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Fear of COVID-19 scale.
Results: A total of 84 nurses, 41 of whom were in the intervention group and 43 in the control group, were included in this study. After the intervention, the fear of COVID-19 (-4.58±2.47) levels and the mean anxiety intensity (SUD) of the participants decreased (-5.61±1.16) in the experimental group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001) when compared to that of the control group; the state anxiety (-8.82±7.26) and trait anxiety (-1.16±2.97) averages decreased, the decrease in state anxiety was statistically significant (p<0.001), while the decrease in trait anxiety was not significant (p>0.005). There was no significant change in the mean scores of the control group (P19S=-0.09±2.47; SUD=0±1.15; DDS=-0.22±7.25; SDS=-0.04±2.97).
Conclusion: This study showed that EFT sessions administered in a group setting reduced and helped the emergency nurses better cope with COVID-19 anxiety and fear levels.
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Infectious disease outbreaks pose psychological challenges to the general population, and especially to healthcare workers. Nurses who work with COVID-19 patients are particularly vulnerable to emotions such as fear and anxiety, due to fatigue, discomfort, and helplessness related to their high intensity work. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of a brief online form of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in the prevention of stress, anxiety, and burnout in nurses involved in the treatment of COVID patients.
Methods: The study is a randomized controlled trial. It complies with the guidelines prescribed by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. It was conducted in a COVID-19 department at a university hospital in Turkey. We recruited nurses who care for patients infected with COVID-19 and randomly allocated them into an intervention group (n = 35) and a no-treatment control group (n = 37). The intervention group received one guided online group EFT session.
Results: Reductions in stress (p < .001), anxiety (p < .001), and burnout (p < .001) reached high levels of statistical significance for the intervention group. The control group showed no statistically significant changes on these measures (p > .05).
Conclusions: A single online group EFT session reduced stress, anxiety, and burnout levels in nurses treating COVID-19.
Abstract:
Background: Mass outbreaks such as pandemics are associated with mental health problems requiring effective psychological interventions. Although several forms of psychological interventions may be advocated or used, some may lack strong evidence of efficacy and some may not have been evaluated in mass infectious disease outbreaks. This paper reports a systematic review of published studies (PROSPERO CRD:42020182094. Registered: 24.04.2020) examining the types and effectiveness of psychological support interventions for the general population and healthcare workers exposed to mass infectious disease outbreaks.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) were identified through searches of electronic databases: Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO (EBSCO) and the Cochrane Library Database from inception to 06.05.2021 using an agreed search strategy. Studies were included if they assessed the effectiveness of interventions providing psychological support to the general population and / or healthcare workers exposed to mass infectious disease outbreaks. Studies were excluded if they focused on man-made or natural disasters or if they included armed forces, police, fire-fighters or coastguards.
Results: Twenty-two RCTs were included after screening. Various psychological interventions have been used: therapist-guided therapy (n = 1); online counselling (n = 1); ‘Emotional Freedom Techniques’ (n = 1); mobile phone apps (n = 2); brief crisis intervention (n = 1); psychological- behavioural intervention (n = 1); Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (n = 3); progressive muscle relaxation (n = 2); emotional-based directed drawing (n = 1); psycho-educational debriefing (n = 1); guided imagery (n = 1); Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (n = 1); expressive writing (n = 2); tailored intervention for patients with a chronic medical conditions (n = 1); community health workers (n = 1); self-guided psychological intervention (n = 1), and a digital behaviour change intervention (n = 1). Meta-analyses showed that psychological interventions had a statistically significant benefit in managing depression (Standardised Mean Difference [SMD]: -0.40; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: − 0.76 to − 0.03), and anxiety (SMD: -0.72; 95% CI: − 1.03 to − 0.40). The effect on stress was equivocal (SMD: 0.16; 95% CI: − 0.19 to 0.51). The heterogeneity of studies, studies’ high risk of bias, and the lack of available evidence means uncertainty remains.
Conclusions: Further RCTs and intervention studies involving representative study populations are needed to inform the development of targeted and tailored psychological interventions for those exposed to mass infectious disease outbreaks.
Abstract: Corona virus is a family of viruses that can cause a wide range of diseases. Nurses are among those who have to attend hospital settings due to their job nature and are exposed to suspected patients with Corona. so they experience high level of stress and anxiety. The" Emotional Freedom Technique"(EFT) is an alternative treatment for removing physical pain and emotional distress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of using EFT on anxiety of nurses during Corona outbreak. The present study was a clinical trial. The statistical population of the present study included all nurses working in hospitals. The data collection tool consisted of two sections demographic information and the Nursing Stress Scale NSS developed by Gray-Toft James Anderson. After entering the data into computer, they were analyzed through SPSS24 software and by paired T-tests and analysis of variance with repeated observations. It should be noted that the significance level of the study was considered at P 0.05. The independent T-test showed that the mean work stress score in the case and control groups did not differ significantly before the intervention (p= 0.14). Analysis of variance with repeated observations showed that the mean work stress scores in the EFT training group were not the same in three times and there was a significant statistical difference among them (P 0.001). Teaching EFT technique is very effective for nurses to reduce work stress by considering practical skills when exposed to stressful conditions.
Depression
Erste Hilfe
Abstract: Untreated pain during the transportation of patients after minor trauma is a common problem in emergency medicine. Because paramedics usually are not allowed to perform invasive procedures or to give drugs for pain treatment, a noninvasive, nondrug based method would be helpful. Acupressure is a traditional Chinese treatment for pain that is based on pain relief followed by a short mechanical stimulation of specific points. Consequently, we tested the hypothesis that effective pain therapy is possible by paramedics who are trained in acupressure. In a doubleblinded trial we included 60 trauma patients. We randomly assigned them into three groups (“true points,” “sham-points,” and “no acupressure”). An independent observer, blinded to the treatment assignment, recorded vital variables and visual scales for pain and anxiety before and after treatment. At the end of transport, we asked for ratings of overall satisfaction. For statistical evaluation, one-way analysis of variance and the Scheffe´ F test were used. P_0.05 was considered statistically significant. Morphometric and demographic data and potential confounding factors such as age, sex, pain, anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate before treatment did not differ among the groups. At the end of transport we found significantly less pain, anxiety, and heart rate and a greater satisfaction in the “true points” groups (P < 0.01). Our results show that acupressure is an effective and simple-to-learn treatment of pain in emergency trauma care and leads to an improvement of the quality of care in emergency transport. We suggest that this technique is easy to learn and risk-free and may improve paramedic-based rescue systems.
Essverhalten / Gewicht
Abstract:
Context: With obesity a mounting global issue, efficacious treatments can make a contribution to both personal and public health. Prior clinical trials have demonstrated that an evidence-based method, Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), can produce a durable weight reduction.
Objective: The study evaluated whether Skinny Genes, a six-week online program applying EFT to emotional eating, was associated with behavioral change and reductions in weight.
Design: A pre-post outcome study design evaluated the results of a convenience sample of participants enrolled in an online weight loss course.
Participants: Participant were recruited through EFT websites. Pre, post and follow-up measures were available for 72 participants and all analysis was performed on this sample.
Intervention: Participants used EFT to address cognitions, behaviors, and adverse experiences that could contribute to binge eating, intermittent dieting, and resistance to exercise.
Outcome measures: Behaviors to restrain eating were measured using the Revised Restraint Scale (RRS); the association of food with reward using the Power of Food Scale (PFS); anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Weight was measured pre and postintervention and at six-month follow-up.
Results: Postintervention, a 36.8% reduction in anxiety (P < .001) and a 48.5% reduction in depression (P < .001) were found. The perceived power of food decreased significantly as did restraint behaviors. Participants lost an average of 12.9 lbs during the six weeks of the program (P < .001), and at follow-up, a further 2.6 lbs. All psychological gains were maintained (P < .001).
Conclusions: The findings are consistent with those of other clinical trials studying the benefits of EFT for weight loss, demonstrating simultaneous reductions in both weight and psychological distress. The continued weight reduction found on follow-up was consistent with other EFT studies but counter to the pattern of weight regain noted in the literature. Addressing emotional issues using an online delivery format was associated with durable weight-loss maintenance as well as improved mental health. App-based and virtual programs such as Skinny Genes have the potential to bring effective therapies to underserved populations.
Abstract: Eating as a compensatory mechanism to adverse emotional experiences in children and adolescents has been associated with high rates of overweight and obesity, binge eating and various problematic eating behaviors. Children and adolescents who display emotional eating are likely to develop eating disorders in adult life. Stress management may be an important target to decrease emotional eating in youth. A systematic review was conducted to determine the efficacy of stress management interventions on reducing and managing emotional eating in children and adolescents. Using a combination of terms, Scopus, Pubmed and Web of Science databases were searched. After removing duplicates, 734 publications were screened and 26 identified as potentially relevant. Two randomized controlled trials were assessed for their methodological quality using the Jadad Scale. Our findings suggest that stress management strategies favorably influenced outcomes related to childhood and adolescence emotional eating and highlight the urgent need for more, high-quality studies to examine the efficacy of stress management interventions in emotional eating amongst children and adolescents.
Abstract:
Although significant health improvements are indicated from weight-loss following bariatric surgery, many individuals are unable to lose weight or maintain their weight-loss. The current study aimed to assess whether post-surgery care comprising Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an emerging energy psychology intervention, combined with a behavior-based nutrition and portion control eating plan in an online self-guided delivery would aid weight-loss and maintenance in bariatric patients.
Methods: A 6-month randomized controlled parallel-group trial. Participants (N = 343; aged 21–69 years; BMI ≥30 kg/m2) had undergone bariatric surgery (12 + months prior) and were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Portion Perfection for Bariatric Patients (PPBP; n = 109), PPBP combined with an eight-week online self-paced EFT treatment (n = 107), and a treatment as usual (TAU) control (n = 127). Participants completed measures of BMI, emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, food cravings, and self-esteem at 8-week post-treatment (n = 158) and 6-month follow-up (n = 109).
Results: Mixed-design analyses of variances were conducted to examine the effect of the interventions on outcome measures (pre-intervention, 8-week post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up). Emotional eating decreased significantly from pre-intervention to post-intervention for the PPBP and PPBP with EFT groups, and at 6-month follow-up for the TAU group only. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in other outcome variables. However, at 6-months the PPBP with EFT group experienced the greatest improvements in emotional eating (-16.33%), uncontrolled eating (-9.36%), and self-esteem (+4.43%), compared to PPBP only or TAU.
Conclusion: The effect of EFT combined with the eating plan on psychological variables was largely inconsistent with prior research and discussion of how this may be optimized in future trials is discussed.
Abstract: Recent research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), to address overeating behaviours in obese and overweight individuals both in-person (Church & Brooks, 2010; Stapleton et al., 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017) and online (Church, Stapleton, Sheppard & Carter, 2018; Church & Wilde, 2013). The aim of the present study was to determine whether an online EFT program was as efficacious as the in-person treatment. This was achieved by comparing data from a randomised clinical trial (RCT) for an in-person EFT intervention for weight management (Stapleton et al., 2016), with an equivalent online RCT. Each program targeted food cravings, the subjective power of food, dietary restraint, body mass index, weight, somatic symptomology, anxiety, and depression. Results indicate both modalities were comparable in efficacy and both groups experienced significant reductions from pre-intervention to post-intervention, with reductions remaining significant at follow ups for food cravings, power of food, depression and weight, with minor differences observed at post-intervention or 6-month follow up for dietary restraint, somatic symptoms, anxiety and body mass index. Follow-up analyses revealed a significant effect of depression, anxiety and weighton attrition in the online treatment group.
Abstract:
Background: This pilot randomised clinical trial investigated the effect of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on brain activation in response to food craving stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging. EFT is a brief stress reduction technique which involves stating a cognitive statement with stimulation of acupressure points with a tapping technique.
Method: Fifteen overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week group EFT treatment or control condition and completed a measure of food craving. Random repeating images of high-calorie food designed to engage parts of the brain were presented during the pre and post fMRI scans.
Results: The Group x Time interaction for food cravings were significant for the EFT group when compared to the controls. Participant mean scores decreased by 18% for the EFT group and 5% for the control group. Brain activity was mapped using fMRI measures, and there was relative deactivation in the Superior Temporal Gyrus and lateral orbito-frontal cortex for the EFT treatment group only. The control group however, showed continued activation in these areas.
Conclusion: The findings indicated EFT may decrease limbic region brain activity and reduce food related symptoms in overweight/obese individuals. This study also illuminates the neurological mechanisms at work behind the many successful outcome studies of EFT for weight loss.
Abstract:
Background: Traditional methods of delivering therapeutic interventions have increasingly been supplemented by online courses. The current study investigated the effects of Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in 76 participants enrolled in a six-week online course called Naturally Thin You. Weight, restraint, the power of food in the external environment, happiness, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed before and after the course and at one-year follow-up.
Method: Participants received six live group teleclasses, access to online course materials and a private social media group, and a year of monthly support teleclasses. No particular diet was recommended; the course focused instead on controlling emotional eating, and using EFT to treat the emotional triggers associated with food. Clinical EFTs Borrowing Benefits protocol, in which the group facilitator works with a single participant while others simultaneously self-apply EFT, was used during the teleclasses.
Results: Repeated measures ANOVA compared scores pre- to 12-month follow-up, and significant improvements were found for body weight (P <.001), depression symptoms (P = 0.010), restraint (P = 0.025), and the subjective power of food in the external environment (P = 0.018). Weight decreased an average of 1 lb/week during the course, and 2 lb/month between pretest and one-year follow-up. On follow-up, no change was observed in PTSD symptoms measured by a brief civilian trauma checklist, or anxiety, and increases in happiness were non-significant.
The results indicate Clinical EFT’s utility to address the influence of food in the external environment and assist weight loss, and to promote beneficial long-term change when delivered in an online format.
Abstract:
Background: Because patients vary in their response to treatment, including adherence, the effect of treatment length in the use of EFT on food cravings was examined by comparing retrospective data from two studies in order to ascertain if shorter programs are as effective. This may then impact treatment adherence and completion.
Methods: In study one, 96 overweight and obese adults were randomly allocated to a 4-week treatment for their food craving or waitlist condition. In study two, an 8-week EFT program for 47 adults, the same variables were measured as per study one. Participants were assessed for degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities and psychological symptoms at pre-, post-, 6- and 12-month follow-up.
Results: Outcomes indicated significant reductions in food cravings, subjective power of food, dietary restraint, Body Mass Index, and weight for both interventions. There were no significant differences between the intervention groups in terms of the effect size of outcomes for the variables measured, thus indicating that the 4-week EFT treatment could achieve the outcomes that the 8-week program did.
Conclusions: While the efficacy of EFT as an adjunct to standard dietary and exercise programs has been established through several clinical trials, it has not been clear as to the optimal length of program required to achieve successful results. This comparison of a brief 4-week (8-hour) program versus an 8-week (16-hour program) indicated significant reductions in all measures for both intervention lengths. Length of treatment may be important when considering adherence and motivation.
Abstract:
Objective: Examining the effectiveness of psychological interventions in treating secondary psychological outcomes of obesity has become prioritized in recent times. The objective of the present study was to compare an eight-week Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) intervention program, in the treatment of food cravings and secondary psychological outcomes among overweight or obese adults (N = 83).
Method: A controlled non-inferiority trial was performed comparing group-delivered CBT to group- delivered EFT. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire at pre- and post- intervention, and at six and 12-months follow-up.
Results: The CBT group did not report any significant changes in anxiety scores over time, but the decrease in depression symptoms pre-to post-intervention was significant and this was maintained at 6-and 12-months. Anxiety and depression scores significantly decreased from pre-to post-intervention for the EFT group, and was maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Somatoform scores significantly decreased from pre-intervention to all follow-up points for the CBT group, while the EFT group did not report any significant changes in somatoform symptoms. Results also revealed that EFT is capable of producing reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms, and may be comparable to gold standard approaches such as CBT.
Conclusion: The current study supports the hypothesis that psychological intervention is beneficial for treating psychological comorbidities of obesity and points to the role mental health issues may play in this area.
Abstract: Addressing the internal determinants of dysfunctional eating behaviours (e.g., food cravings) in the prevention and treatment of obesity has been increasingly recognised. This study compared Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for food cravings in adults who were overweight or obese (N = 83) in an 8-week intervention. Outcome data was collected pre- and post-intervention, and at six and 12-months follow-up. Food cravings significantly decreased for both groups; however, only the EFT group retained significant reductions at the six and 12-month points. Power over food significantly improved for both groups and was maintained. An immediate reduction on restraint was observed for CBT, and a delayed effect was observed for EFT. Delayed effects in both groups (6-months) were also observed for BMI, whereby significant weight loss was reported. However, this effect was only maintained by the CBT group at 12- months follow-up. Food craving and power of food scores were comparable to a community sample by post-intervention and were maintained. Dietary restraint was equivalent to the community sample by 12-month follow-up. However, BMI remained significantly higher than community sample for both groups across all time points. The current study supports the suggestion psychological interventions are beneficial for food cravings and provides preliminary evidence that EFT may be equally effective as CBT in treating food cravings.
Abstract: In Australia and throughout much of the world rates of obesity continue to climb as does the prevalence of eating disorders, particularly in adolescents. Psychological consequences of childhood obesity include low self-esteem, depression, body dissatisfaction, and social maladjustment. This feasibility study sought to examine the impact of a six-week EFT group treatment program upon eating behaviours, selfesteem, compassion, and psychological symptoms. Forty-four students were randomly allocated to either the EFT group or the waitlist control group. Results revealed a delayed effect for both groups at post-intervention, with improved eating habits, self-esteem and compassion at follow-up. Findings provide preliminary support for EFT as an effective treatment strategy for increasing healthy eating behaviours and improving associated weight-related psychopathology.
Abstract: Ninety-six overweight or obese adults were randomly allocated to a four-week EFT treatment or waitlist condition. Waitlist participants crossed over to the EFT group upon completion of wait period. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities and psychological symptoms were assessed at pre-, post- and 12-month follow-up for combined EFT groups. Significant improvements in weight, body mass index, food cravings, subjective power of food, craving restraint and psychological coping for EFT participants from pre- to 12-months (p<0.05) were reported. The current paper isolates the depression symptom levels of participants, as well as levels of eight other psychological conditions. Significant decreases from pre- to post-treatment were found for Depression, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Obsessive-Compulsivity, Paranoid Ideation, and Somatisation (p<0.05). Significant decreases from pre- to 12-months follow-up were found for Depression, Interpersonal Sensitivity, Psychoticism, and Hostility. The results point to the role depression and other mental health conditions may play in the successful maintenance of weight loss.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to examine food diaries from 89 female overweight and obese adults participating in a treatment trial for food cravings. For two weeks prior to beginning treatment and for the duration of the four-week treatment, all participants were required to complete a daily food monitoring sheet or diary in real-time, indicating all quantities of food/drink eaten throughout a day and whether the item was a craving item for them. The diaries were examined for narrative statements and categorized with regard to common content, resulting in seven themes (Physiological; Enjoyment/Celebration; Missing Out; Reward; Wastage; Emotive and External Environment). Participants also completed a battery of self-report questionnaires relating to food cravings, eating behaviour and psychological symptoms. Results indicated that the most common themes recorded included Wastage, Emotive and Reward and the most frequent number of cravings recorded per day ranged from one to three.
Abstract: Obesity is a growing epidemic. Chronic stress produces endocrine and immune factors that are contributors to obesity's etiology. These biochemicals also can affect appetite and eating behaviors that can lead to binge-eating disorder. The inadequacies of standard care and the problem of patient noncompliance have inspired a search for alternative treatments. Proposals in the literature have called for combination therapies involving behavioral or new biological therapies. This manuscript suggests that mind-body interventions would be ideal for such combinations. Two mind-body modalities, energy psychology and mindfulness meditation, are reviewed for their potential in treating weight loss, stress, and behavior modification related to binge-eating disorder. Whereas mindfulness meditation and practices show more compelling evidence, energy psychology, in the infancy stages of elucidation, exhibits initially promising outcomes but requires further evidence-based trials.
Abstract: This randomized, single-blind, crossover trial tested whether participants who used Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) maintained reduced food cravings after 12-months and updates previously reported 6-month findings. Ninety-six overweight/obese adults were allocated to a 4-week EFT treatment or waitlist condition. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities, and psychological symptoms were assessed pre- and posttest and at 12-month follow-up for collapsed groups. Significant improvements occurred in weight, body mass index, food cravings, subjective power of food, craving restraint, and psychological coping for EFT participants from pretest to 12 months (p < .05). It appears EFT can result in participants maintaining reduced cravings over time and affect weight and BMI in overweight and obese individuals.
Abstract: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has been shown to have a lasting effect on food cravings, power over food and restraint ability, and ultimately results in weight loss. This paper discusses the approach utilised in a recent food craving clinical treatment trial (Stapleton, Sheldon, & Porter, 2012; Stapleton, Sheldon, Porter, & Whitty, 2011), and highlights the case of a single participant. Sessions are described in detail and specific recommendations are made for the application of EFT to food cravings in overweight and obese individuals.
Abstract: This randomised, clinical trial tested whether The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) reduced food cravings. This study involved 96 overweight or obese adults who were allocated to the EFT treatment or 4-week waitlist condition. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities and psychological symptoms were assessed pre- and post- a 4-week treatment program (mixed method ANOVA comparative analysis), and at 6-month follow-up (repeated measure ANOVA with group data collapsed). EFT was associated with a significantly greater improvement in food cravings, the subjective power of food and craving restraint than waitlist from pre- to immediately post-test (p < .05). Across collapsed groups, an improvement in food cravings and the subjective power of food after active EFT treatment was maintained at 6 months, and a delayed effect was seen for craving restraint. Although there was a significant reduction in measures of psychological distress immediately after treatment (p < .05), there was no between-group difference. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that EFT can have an immediate effect on reducing food cravings and can result in maintaining reduced cravings over time.
Abstract: This randomised, clinical trial tested whether The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) reduced food cravings. This study involved 96 overweight or obese adults who were allocated to the EFT treatment or 4-week waitlist condition. Degree of food craving, perceived power of food, restraint capabilities and psychological symptoms were assessed pre- and post- a 4-week treatment program (mixed method ANOVA comparative analysis), and at 6-month follow-up (repeated measure ANOVA with group data collapsed). EFT was associated with a significantly greater improvement in food cravings, the subjective power of food and craving restraint than waitlist from pre- to immediately post-test (p < .05). Across collapsed groups, an improvement in food cravings and the subjective power of food after active EFT treatment was maintained at 6 months, and a delayed effect was seen for craving restraint. Although there was a significant reduction in measures of psychological distress immediately after treatment (p < .05), there was no between-group difference. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that EFT can have an immediate effect on reducing food cravings and can result in maintaining reduced cravings over time.
Abstract: Energy psychology utilizes imaginal and narrative-generated exposure, paired with interventions that reduce hyperarousal through acupressure and related techniques. According to practitioners, this leads to treatment outcomes that are more rapid, powerful, and precise than the strategies used in other exposure-based treatments such as relaxation or diaphragmatic breathing. The method has been exceedingly controversial. It relies on unfamiliar procedures adapted from non-Western cultures, posits unverified mechanisms of action, and early claims of unusual speed and therapeutic power ran far ahead of initial empirical support. This paper reviews a hierarchy of evidence regarding the efficacy of energy psychology, from anecdotal reports to randomized clinical trials. Although the evidence is still preliminary, energy psychology has reached the minimum threshold for being designated as an evidencebased treatment, with one form having met the APA Division 12 criteria as a “probably efficacious treatment” for specific phobias; another for maintaining weight loss. The limited scientific evidence, combined with extensive clinical reports, suggests that energy psychology holds promise as a rapid and potent treatment for a range of psychological conditions.
Abstract: There is no single treatment approach that is exclusively effective for bulimia nervosa. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been empirically supported as a primary treatment option and addresses cognitive and behavioral aspects of bulimia nervosa, but not affective problems. Thought field therapy (TFT) is a brief non-verbal treatment that may effectively address numerous psychological symptoms. The purpose of this critical analysis was to develop an integrative treatment approach for bulimia nervosa in Japan, which employs TFT as an adjunct technique. Through a critical analysis of research on bulimia nervosa and treatment approaches, an integrative model was developed. The CBT approach provides a cognitive behavioral framework comprised of stages. The first stage emphasizes behavioral and educational aspects, while the second stage emphasizes cognitive aspects and interpersonal dysfunctions. Other effective techniques, such as interpersonal therapy, psychoeducation, self-help, and assertion training, will be used to enhance treatment. TFT will be incorporated into the treatment model in an effort to meet the goals set by the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, specifically in regard to the Japanese women.
„Frauenthemen“
Abstract:
Objective: The study was conducted to determine the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Methods: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial, with a premenstrual syndrome sample comprising 78 single female students of reproductive age presenting with PMS complaints (40 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group). Students in the experimental group were interviewed individually in the week before their menstrual cycle and received two EFT sessions with a 3-day interval.
Results: The participants in the experimental group had higher post-test subjective units of experience (SUE) mean scores (experimental group mean 7.8 ± 1.7; control group mean 0.5 ± 5.7) and lower post-test PMS total (experimental group mean 76.8 ± 30.1; control group mean 127.4 ± 34.6) and subscale mean scores than the students in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In repeated measures analysis, time-dependent change showed statistical significance between the groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The EFT was found to be an effective non-pharmacologic intervention for coping with PMS.
Abstract:
Background: Fear of childbirth is one of the main causes of women’s emotional difficulty experienced in the perinatal period, especially those having their first child.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on the fear of childbirth among primiparous women in Ahvaz, Iran.
Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 116 primiparous women. The participants were randomly divided into intervention (n = 58) or control (n = 58) groups. The intervention group received daily stimulation of certain points in their body for 12 weeks using EFT. The fear of childbirth was measured at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks after the intervention using the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (WDEQ-A) and at the first postpartum visit with WDEQ-B. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, paired t- test, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: After intervention, the mean score of fear of childbirth in the intervention group decreased from 49.39 ± 8.21 to 40.42 ± 13.43 (p < 0.0001), while the same rate in the control group increased from 49.47 ± 9.06 to 52.09 ± 7.73 (p = 0.002). The mean score of fear of childbirth after delivery in the control group (45.88 ± 7.10) was higher than that in the intervention group (27.13 ± 5.08) (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, EFT can be considered as an effective method to reduce the fear of childbirth score in primiparous women.
Abstract:
Objective: This randomized controlled trial investigated the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on the severity of nausea-vomiting and anxiety in early pregnancy.
Design: The sample consisted of 131 pregnant women in the experimental and control groups between 6 and 16 weeks of pregnancy attending an antenatal clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to receive training on EFT or a control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, subjective experiences, the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and the Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis. Both groups attended two visits, a week apart. The participants in the EFT group received a session of EFT at each visit and completed two EFT sessions as home assignments, 2 and 4 days after the first visit. The participants in the control group attended two visits a week apart and completed assessments but did not receive EFT.
Results: There were 55 women in each group who completed the study, and the groups were similar in terms of baseline measures, including socioeconomic status, smoking status, previous pregnancy, severity of nausea-vomiting, and total pregnancy-related anxiety. EFT significantly reduced anxiety levels from the baseline to the second session (fear of delivery, worries about bearing a handicapped child, concern about one's own appearance) and total pregnancy-related anxiety (total pretest 29.85 ± 9.87, post-test 20.67 ± 8.38; p < 0.001), while the control group showed no reduction in pregnancy-related anxiety (total pretest 26.1 ± 7.79, post-test 25.98 ± 8.49; p = 0.933). Although nausea-vomiting was reduced in both groups over the two-session period, at the end of treatment, the EFT group had significantly lower nausea intensity (EFT group 4.4 ± 1.81, control group 5.36 ± 2.48; p = 0.02).
Conclusions: EFT is a nonpharmacologic intervention that can be effective in reducing nausea, vomiting, and anxiety in early pregnancy.
Abstract: Objectives: Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of depression. Depression may negatively affect the quality of life of women. An emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an evidence-based therapy combining cognitive and exposure components with acupressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EFT on depression in postmenopausal women.
Abstract: This research study from Turkey explored the effects of EFT and music applied to pregnant women who had experienced prenatal loss on their psychological growth, well-being, and cortisol
level. This study was a randomized controlled trial with 53 pregnant women in each of three groups: an EFT group, a music group, and a control group. The study data were collected using the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), Subjective Units of Experience (SUE) Scale, Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index; saliva samples were taken forortisol evaluation. EFT was applied to the women two times every other week; the women in the music group listened to music two times every other week. Throughout the week following the first intervention, the women continued the interventions at home.
Results: Both EFT and music significantly decreased the participants' subjective anxiety and salivary cortisol median scores; the lowest anxiety was in the EFT group. PTGI and WHO-5 Well-Being Index mean scores increased (p < 0.005). Further analyses showed that EFT was more effective in terms of increasing well-being than music (p < 0.001; a > b > c). It was determined that the anxiety levels and salivary cortisol median values of the control group were statistically significantly higher compared to the EFT and music groups (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: It was found that EFT and music applied to the women who had experienced prenatal loss decreased anxiety, ensured psychological growth, improved well-being, and decreased salivary cortisol level.
Abstract:
Purpose: The present study evaluated the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly called “tapping,” for premenstrual (PMS) symptoms.
Design and Methods: This study was conducted with the participation of 50 nursing students who scored 111 or higher on the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). The students in the experimental group were instructed to apply EFT.
Findings: There were statistically significant differences between the mean depressive affect, fatigue, nervousness, sleep-related changes, and swelling subscale scores and the PMSS total scale score of the experimental group measured during the pretest and posttest (p < 0.05).
Practice Implications: The results demonstrate the efficacy of EFT in reducing PMS symptoms. As a fast and efficient self-treatment method, EFT can be easily implemented as a nonpharmacological intervention.
Abstract:
Objectives: Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of depression. Depression may negatively affect the quality of life of women. An emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an evidence-based therapy combining cognitive and exposure components with acupressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EFT on depression in postmenopausal women.
Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial in which 88 women with mild to moderate depression recruited from a menopausal clinic in Ahvaz, Iran, and randomly assigned into two groups of EFT (n=44) and control for sham therapy (n=44). Women in the EFT group received two sessions of training and asked to continue EFT for 8 weeks, one time per day. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2) completed by women before and after the inter-vention. The control group received training on sham acupressure points similar to the intervention group. Data collected using a demographic and BDI2. Women requested to complete the BDI2 before and after the intervention. The independent t-test, chi-square, and ANCOVA were used to analyze data.
Results: The mean depression score in the intervention group reduced from 20.93±4.6 to 10.96±4.38 in comparison to the control group that reduced from 19.18±2.79to 17.01±6.05 after intervention (p=0.001). After the 8 week intervention, the frequency of moderate depression decreased from 56.8 to 9.35% in the intervention and from 50 to 29.5% in the control group. In total, 63.4 and 34.15% in the intervention and control groups were free of depression respectively after the intervention (p<0.001).
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that using EFT for 8 weeks could significantly reduce the mean score of depression in postmenopausal women. Using this method in public health centers for postmenopausal women is recommended.
Abstract:
Background: A mother's joy begins as new life is stirring inside; when a tiny heart beat is heard for the first time, and a playful kick remains her that she is never alone. The delivery of a child yields excitement and joy, and the new mother is expected to welcome her new responsibility with happiness. For some, this new responsibility may not be an enjoyable experience because of ignorance or mishandling of postpartum psychological health. Postnatal mothers may struggle with their mental health as they transit to motherhood.
Aim: To assess the effect of Emotional Freedom Technique on level of Postpartum blues.
Material and methods: Quasi experimental pertest post-test with control group design was adopted and the samples consist of 30 postnatal mothers. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale was used to assess the postpartum blue level.
Results: Only 13.3% of the postnatal mothers had adequate perceived competency in terms of knowledge regarding postpartum blue. In experimental group, 13 postnatal mothers who had moderate level of postpartum blue during pertest improved after implementation of the Emotional freedom technique where majority 66.7% of the mothers came to mild level. There is a significant change in the postpartum blue between pertest and post-test among experimental group which is statistically proved by that 't' value of 5.72 (Df=14, table value=2.14 at 0.05 level of significance).
Abstract:
Objectives: Extreme pain and anxiety can cause negative effect in labor and delivery. Great anxiety can enhance pain and it has proven having related to premature birth, sectio caesarea (SC), prolonged labor, excessive use of analgesics, low birth weight, baby’s asphyxia, babies’ smaller head circumference, and childhood mental disorder. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping therapy has ability to reduceanxietyand gives relaxing effect as of reducing labor pain. The aim of this study is to define the influence of tapping therapy to anxious reduction and labor pain during latent phase on nullipara mother.
Methods: Quasy experiment non randomized pretest-posttest with control group design was used in this study. The data were collected by using two questionnaires, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Data analysis used t-test. Participants in this study were 13 respondents, 8 in the control group and 5 in the intervention group.
Result: Regarding paired t-test, p value on pain and anxious variable was higher than α value (5%) or 0,05, so that there is no significant differences on pain and anxious level between the previous and the following tapping therapy on both groups.
Conclusions: Tapping therapy is not effective in reducing anxious and labor pain scale on nullipara’s latent phase.
Abstract:
Introduction: Every woman who undergo Sectio Caesaria (SC) surgery for delivery their babies often complain about pain after the surgery and it become very disturbing. The effect of the pain cause mobilisation limitation, interrupting bonding attachment between mother and child, and postponing breastfeeding initiation. This study conduct EFT or tapping as the pain management in women post SC surgery. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of EFT or tapping for reducing pain after SC surgery.
Methods: Quasi experimental with pre-post non randomized control group design was used in this study. The data was collected using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) to measure the pain in participants before and after EFT or tapping treatment. The number of participants was 30 mothers with 15 women in control and treatment group respectively. The t-test was used to analize the effect of the EFT.
Results: The mean of pain scale before treatment in control group was 5.20 dan 6.20 for the treatment group. The pain scale after treatment in control group was 5.00 and 4.27 in treatment group. There was a significant difference between the reducing pain scale in treatment group with p value = 0,000 (α = 0.05).
Discussion: EFT or tapping can be one of many nonpharmacological treatment as complementary therapy to reduce pain after SC surgery.
Kinderthemen
Abstract:
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood, such as violence, abuse, severe neglect, or mental health problems in caregivers. The negative physical and mental health consequences of severe or multiple ACEs provide a major challenge for the health care community. Psychotherapies that utilize a mind–body approach in treating ACE-related conditions are seen by their proponents as having advantages for bringing healing and restoration compared with talk, introspective, interpersonal, and exposure therapies that do not intervene at the body level, as famously encapsulated by Bessel van der Kolk’s observation that “the body keeps the score.” A mind–body approach whose use has been rapidly increasing in clinical settings as well as on a self-help basis is called “energy psychology.” Energy psychology combines conventional therapeutic techniques such as cognitive restructuring and psychological exposure with the stimulation of acupuncture points (acupoints) by tapping on them. A review of the development, efficacy, and plausible mechanisms of energy psychology is presented, and several strengths are enumerated, such as how integrating acupoint tapping into conventional exposure methods enhances the speed and power of outcomes. The impact of energy psychology protocols on the three brain networks most centrally involved with ACEs is also examined. Finally, recommendations are offered for using an energy psychology approach at each stage of therapy with individuals who have endured severe or multiple ACES, from establishing a therapeutic alliance to assessment to treatment to follow-up.
Abstract:
Introduction: Chronic pain is a prevalent worldwide health condition. The current study aimed to extend previous research that investigated the dynamics between chronic pain, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
Method: Adult participants worldwide with chronic pain were recruited for this study (N = 199; 89% females). Three hypotheses were proposed: (a) a high ACEs score would result in more severe pain intensity and interference compared to no ACEs; (b) a low ACEs score would result in more severe pain intensity and interference compared to no ACEs; and (c) PTSS would fully mediate the ACEs-pain relationship.
Results: Initially results indicated individuals with high ACEs reported more pain interference than those with no ACEs, although pain intensity did not differ between high and no ACEs. However, after controlling for age, socioeconomic status (SES), and pain duration, low and high ACEs were not significantly associated with pain intensity or interference compared to no ACEs. However, SES status was associated with pain intensity and interference, although not with pain interference after adding low and high ACEs to the model. Because of this the mediation exploration of PTSS was not viable.
Discussion: Implications for practice, limitations and future research outcomes are outlined.
Körperthemen
Abstract: Family members are at the forefront of providing care to patients with chronic illnesses, such as heart failure (HF). Since patient caregiving can affect the mental and physical health of family caregivers, the implementation and training of new psychological interventions by nurses are considered important and necessary for family caregivers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) on anxiety and caregiver burden of family caregivers of patients with HF.
Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study, in which 91 family caregivers participated. The family caregivers were assigned into two groups of intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 45). Data were collected using a demographic information form, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) developed by Novak and Guest. The intervention group underwent EFT training within six sessions, while the control group received no training. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and absolute and relative frequency) and inferential statistical tests such as Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and independent t-tests were run, and the data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 software.
Results: The findings showed that the intervention group had a significant improvement in reducing anxiety (P > 0.001). In addition, EFT significantly reduced caregiver burden among family caregivers of HF patients (P > 0.001).
Conclusion: EFT could significantly reduce anxiety and caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients with HF in our study. Therefore, nurses working in clinical settings are recommended to learn and use EFT to reduce the anxiety and caregiver burden of patients’ family caregivers.
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases in world. As some psychiatric symptoms degrade the quality of life of patients with PD, a novel alternative non- pharmacological treatment is required. Acupuncture appears to be an effective and safe treatment for PD. The emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a type of psychological therapy that alleviates psychiatric symptoms by stimulating acupoints. In this study, we will compare the efficacy and safety of a combination of the EFT and acupuncture and acupuncture alone.
Methods: This study is a randomized, assessor-blind, parallel-group clinical trial. Eighty participants will be equally divided into experimental and control groups. Each participant will receive a total of 24 interventions over 12 weeks. The experimental group will receive EFT combined with acupuncture and the control group will receive acupuncture alone. The primary outcome is the change in the Beck Depression Inventory score from baseline to 12 weeks, and the secondary outcomes include change in the following variables: Beck Depression Inventory, Parkinson’s disease sleep scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Korean version of the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of weight questionnaire scale, and unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale III and exercises.
Discussion: Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for motor and nonmotor symptoms in PD, and EFT appears to be safe and effective for a variety of psychiatric symptoms. In this study, we will investigate the potential of EFT combined with acupuncture to improve psychiatric symptoms in PD.
Abstract:
Objective: To explore the feasibility and efficacy of emotional freedom therapy (EFT) in improving sleep quality and managing negative emotions in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
Methods: Between May 2021 and February 2022, 66 maintenance hemodialysis patients with sleep problems were recruited and randomized into an intervention and control group. The intervention group underwent a 12-week intervention of EFT. Two groups’ hospital anxiety depression scale (HADS) scores, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and interdialysis weight gain (IDWG) before and one week after the formal intervention were collected and compared. Feasibility analysis was performed using a feasibility questionnaire and in-depth interviews with patients.
Results: Before the intervention, there was no statistical difference in the anxiety, depression, PSQI scores and IDWG between the two groups. After balancing the effects of gender and pre- intervention scores, two-way ANCOVA results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups after the intervention in terms of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, sleep duration, daytime dysfunction and PSQI total score. However, interactions effect for IDWG was statistically significant. Simple effects analysis revealed a difference in post- intervention IDWG between the intervention and control groups for patients over 65 (p < 0.05). Most patients agreed or strongly agreed that the EFT was easy to schedule and they did not experience difficulties during learning the EFT process (respectively 75% and 71.88%). And 75% of the participants were willing to continue practicing EFT. Qualitative content analysis identified five prominent categories related to feasibility and acceptability: affirmation, benefits, communication, support and trust.
Conclusion: EFT can relieve anxiety and depression, enhance sleep quality, and improve the physical condition of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis. As well, the EFT intervention is practicable, acceptable, and perceived as being beneficial to the patient.
Abstract: A 37-year-old female with a history of complex trauma, anxiety and depression was treated with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) supplemented with guided imagery within the first 24 hours of having a stroke that affected the right side. CT scans indicated a haemorrhage and brain clot. Surgery was delayed as another seizure was expected. Interventions occurred during COVID-19 restrictions. The patient then engaged in 90 minutes of EFT every day over the course of a week while in hospital. After seven days she was discharged, and there were significant reductions in depression, anxiety and pain, and mobility returned. Upon discharge the patient had evident improvement in balance and coordination and successfully completed a driving test within the weeks that followed. Subsequent CT scans reveal very little scaring or evidence of the stroke, blood pressure remained stable, and no medication was warranted. This case study presents the practitioner’s perspective of the sessions provided.
Abstract:
Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on the severity of fatigue among women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Materials and Methods: This was a single-blind, randomized controlled trial study conducted on 50 women with MS in Isfahan, Iran. Sampling was performed using simple sampling method, then the participants were randomly divided into two groups of case and sham using the minimization method. The EFT intervention was performed on the case group, 2 sessions per week for a 4-weeks period. In the sham group, with the same psychological part of the EFT technique like case group, mild tapping was applied on false points for the same period of time. Fatigue severity score was obtained using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) before and immediately and 4 weeks after the intervention in the two groups. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Results: The results of the independent t-test indicated that the mean (SD) score of fatigue severity before the intervention was not significantly different between the case and sham groups 5.48 (0.75) and (5.39 (0.71) with (p = 0.67). However, this difference was significant immediately [(3.05 (0.89) and 5.15 (0.94)] and 4 weeks after the intervention 3.10 (0.81) and 5.59 (0.57) (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: It seems that EFT is effective in diminishing fatigue among patients with MS and is recommended as a convenient and safe non-medicament strategy for self-management of fatigue among these patients, and can be used at the bedside by nurses.
Abstract:
Background: The health care coverage of elderly in Wonogiri, Indonesia in 2014 reached 108.002 (65.19%) of the 165.685 elderly, and in Jatiroto Sub-District there were 2.072 of the total of 3.164 elderly who got health care. The report from Wonogiri Departement of Public Health (2013), the case of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of hypertensive patients in 2012 as many as 37.865 cases and 15.250 elderly with hypertension. It made Wonogiri Regency in the fourth place (49.5%) of the highest hypertension prevalence districts/cities in Indonesia and the first place in Central Java. This study attempts to identify the effect of combination therapy of Emotional Freedom Technique - Murottal Alqur’an on elderly’s blood pressure with hypertension in Jatirejo of Jatiroto Subdistrict, Wonogiri Regency.
Method: This study employed the quasi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test non- equivalent control group. The sample of research consisted of 34 respondents with non- probability sampling techniques chosen by purposive sampling. The instruments used are digital sphagmometer, observation sheets, questionnaires demographics, MP3 media player with reverberate standard settings (40-60 dB, 300-340 Hz) and a head set/earphones. To analyze the data, the Paired Sample T- Test, Independent Sample T-Test and Kendall's Tau- β were used.
Results and Conclusion: (1) there are significant differences before (pre-test) and after (post- test) giving treatment of the combination therapy EFT - Murottal Alqur’an on blood pressure in the intervention group (ρ <0.001 systolic ; ρ <0.001 diastolic), (2) there are no significant differences the first (pre-test) and the final observation (post- test) on blood pressure in the control group (ρ: 0.889 systolic ; ρ: 0.169 diastolic), (3) there are the average difference in blood pressure (systolic-diastolic) that significant differences between the intervention and control group with ρ <0.001, (4) there are the strong effect of combination therapy EFT - Murottal Alqur’an on the decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (ρ <0.001; r value - .507 systolic and -.526 diastolic).
Abstract:
Objective: This article explores chronic disease patients‘ personal symbolic meanings of their diseases, as emergent from their experience of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) therapy. The present study is part of a larger study that explored chronic disease patients‘ and EFT practitioners‘ experiences of using EFT to support chronic disease healthcare.
Design: Eight chronic disease patients who had received EFT were interviewed for this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via face-to-face, or via telephone, or the online videoconferencing platform, Zoom. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology.
Results: Three themes emerged, namely ̳illness as an embodiment of unresolved emotional issues‘, ̳illness as body‘s call for time-out and attention‘, and ̳illness as a boundary from other people‘.
Conclusion: EFT offers promise as a suitable therapeutic approach to help chronic disease patients make sense of their life stories and lived experiences, and consequently, symbolic meanings of diseases. The exploration of illness symbology and meaning-making may offer therapeutic value to patients, from both an existential and a health behaviors perspective.
Abstract: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an evidence-based self-help therapeutic method and over 100 studies demonstrate its efficacy. However, information about the physiological effects of EFT is limited. The current study sought to elucidate EFTs mechanisms of action across the central nervous system (CNS) by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and heart coherence (HC); the circulatory system using resting heart rate (RHR) and blood pressure (BP); the endocrine system using cortisol, and the immune system using salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA). The second aim was to measure psychological symptoms. Participants (N = 203) were enrolled in a 4-day training workshop held in different locations. At one workshop (n = 31), participants also received comprehensive physiological testing. Posttest, significant declines were found in anxiety (−40%), depression (−35%), posttraumatic stress disorder (−32%), pain (−57%), and cravings (−74%), all P < .000. Happiness increased (+31%, P = .000) as did SigA (+113%, P = .017). Significant improvements were found in RHR (−8%, P = .001), cortisol (−37%, P < .000), systolic BP (−6%, P = .001), and diastolic BP (−8%, P < .000). Positive trends were observed for HRV and HC and gains were maintained on follow-up, indicating EFT results in positive health effects as well as increased mental well-being.
Abstract: Stressful conditions will increase cortisol release, which will cause an increase blood pressure. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Therapy is believed to be able to eliminate excessive emotions such as stress, the purpose of this study is to identify the effect of EFT therapy on decreasing blood pressure in hypertensive elderly. Research This method uses quasi experiment with a pretest-posttest with control approach group design. The sampling technique uses consecutive sampling method, with (1) willingness to be a respondent, (2) Systolic Blood Pressure (TDS) 140-160mm Hg and Diastolic Blood Pressure (TDD) 90-100 mmHg, (3) do not suffer kidney failure, other cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, (4) patients taking anti-hypertensive drugs. While the exclusion criteria were (1) patients who did not follow all stages of therapy, (2) use drugs or techniques to reduce stress, (3) experience decreased consciousness, (4) have hearing problems. A total of 32 elderly hypertension, divided into two groups, each 16 respondents for the intervention group and the control group. Therapy; EFT is carried out for 20 minutes every day for a week. An instrument for measuring pressure blood using manual mercury sphagnomanometer, the brand of Sphymed Medical. Data analysis using the T-Test. The results showed there were significant differences before TDS and after EFT therapy (p <0.001), but there was no significant difference in TDD in the intervention group (p = 0.699). In the control group neither TDS nor TDD there were significant differences before and after treatment (p = 0.343), (p = 0.620), respectively. However, there were significant differences in the reduction in TDS between the intervention groups and the control group (p = 0.014), but not so in TDD (p = 0.582). It can be concluded that EFT can reduce systolic blood pressure in hypertensive elderly.
Abstract: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as a new therapeutic technique in energy psychology has positive effects on psychological and physiological symptoms, and quality of life. In this research we studied the effect of this treatment on immunological factors. This study tested whether 8-week group sessions of EFT (compared to a wait-list control group) with emphasis on patient's respiratory, psychological and immunological problems in chemically pulmonary injured veterans (N=28) can affect on immunological and psychological factors. Mixed effect linear models indicated that EFT improved mental health (F=79.24, p=0) and health-related quality of life (F=13.89, p=0.001), decreased somatic symptoms (F=5.81, p=0.02), anxiety/insomnia (F=24.03, p<0.001), social dysfunction (F=21.59, p<0.001), frequency and severity of respiratory symptoms (F=20.38, p<0.001), and increased lymphocyte proliferation with nonspecific mitogens Concanavalin A (Con A) (F=14.32, p=0.001) and Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (F=12.35, p=0.002), and peripheral blood IL-17 (F=9.11, p=0.006). This study provides an initial indication that EFT may be a new approach for improving psychological and immunological factors.
Abstract: Adverse effects associated with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitor use are the most common reason reported by women with breast cancer for discontinuing hormonal therapies. Poor compliance is associated with an increased risk of mortality and early recurrence. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for improving mood state, and secondarily, menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and pain experienced by women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapies. Methods: Participants (n = 41) received a three-week course of EFT, consisting of one session of three hours per week, followed by use of the self-tool over the next nine weeks as required. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess mood, pain, fatigue, endocrine (menopausal) symptoms and hot flushes and night sweats, together with a hot flush diary, at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks. Participants also completed 7-day home practice sheets for the first six weeks, a feedback form at six weeks and were invited to attend a follow-up focus group at eight weeks. Results: Statistically significant improvements in Total Mood Disturbance (p = 0.005; p = 0.008), and anxiety (p = 0.003; p = 0.028), depression (p = 0.006; p = 0.020) and fatigue (p = 0.008; p = 0.033) occurred at both 6 and 12 weeks, respectively, compared to baseline. In addition, mean fatigue interference and global scores, numbers of hot flushes and the hot flush problem rating score decreased at 6 and/or 12 weeks. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that EFT may be an effective selfhelp tool for women with breast cancer experiencing side effects from hormonal therapies.
Abstract: Chronic diseases are a major cause of death and illness in the world and diabetics is in sixth rank. As Harati (2009) noted the prevalence of 2nd type diabetes in Iran has accelerated so that more than 1 percent of Iranians over age 20 are affected by it each year. The present study is done in order to improve glycemic control in diabetic patients, reducing the need for costly medical services and enhance their mental health and remove the burdens of the patients and the community. The research method selected 30 diabetic patients of Imam Hossein in Tehran with testing (pretest - posttest of control group) and sampling method in 2012 and randomly classified them into two groups : group1 (treated with EFT- method by Gary Craig , 1995) and the control group . Testing of blood glucose, HbA1C was used as a tool for gathering information for one - way analysis of covariance univariate. The results (Fob:7.24>Fcr:4.22) showed that EFT method was effective in controlling blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.
Abstract The documented relationship between stress and psoriasis suggests that noninvasive means of stress reduction may improve quality of life in persons with psoriasis. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to (a) educate persons with psoriasis in the use of the innovative, self-applied, noninvasive emotional healing intervention Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and (b) test its effects on psoriasis symptoms. Method: A time series, within-subjects, repeated measures design was used. Persons with psoriasis (n = 12) were taught EFT in a 6-hr workshop and instructed to use EFT daily. Symptoms were measured using the Skindex-29 questionnaire. Psychological conditions were assessed using the Symptom Assessment-45 (SA-45), which has 9 subscales, and two general scales for the severity (GSI) and breadth (PST) of psychological distress. Participants were assessed pre-intervention, post intervention, and at 1 and 3 month follow-ups. Psychological symptom severity (GSI) improved post-workshop, demonstrating both clinical (raw score) and statistical significance (-56.43%, p=.043). Improvements (T score) (-50.67%, p=.002) were sustained at three 3-month follow-up (-50.54%, p=.001; -38.43%; p=.002). Symptom breadth (PST) also improved post-workshop clinically (-49.24%, p=.005), and that improvement was sustained over time (-46.93%, p=.019). Skindex-29 scores indicated improvements in emotional distress (-41.56%, p=.002), symptoms (-49.05%; p=.001), and functioning (-58.31%; p=.001) post-workshop, with changes over time to -80.56% (p=<.001), -74.95% (p=<.001), and -89.99% (p=.001) respectively, and at 3 months. Differences by gender were found in psychological symptom severity and skin-related symptom distress. Conclusion: Participants experienced significant improvement in functioning and psychological, emotional, and physical symptoms.
Abstract: Neurotherapy, including brainwave biofeedback, has been found to be an effective treatment for seizure disorders. A principal component of this treatment is an increase in the amplitude of the Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) over the sensory motor cortex in the brain. Electroencephalographic (QEEG) assessment of brainwave activity indicated that Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) increased SMR amplitude. The present article reviews the research on the effects of components of the EFT procedure on brainwave functioning that have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of seizure disorders.
Abstract: Numerous treatment modalities for decompensated tinnitus incorporate psychological principles. Procedures of energy psychology and thought field therapy are introduced in two case studies. Data were collected from psychotherapy sessions and psychological tests. Two case studies demonstrated that thought field therapy reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety in decompensated tinnitus patients. The methods of thought field therapy can be taught to non-mental health professionals. Audiologists and psychotherapists should collaborate to develop more efficacious treatments.
Abstract: “Tessa” was diagnosed with a stage four mixed small and large cell follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 51. She was treated at Dr. Burzynski’s clinic in Houston, Texas. Her treatment was supported by Thought Field Therapy® (TFT) procedures such as eliminating the trauma and anxiety associated with having cancer as well as treatments for Psychological Reversals (PR), which is assumed to promote greater bioenergy healing flow. Unpleasant side effects of necessary medications were also greatly reduced or eliminated with a treatment recently developed by Dr. Callahan, who founded and developed TFT. The combined treatments were successful and she has been cancer free for a year and a half.
Abstract: 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.
Abstract: This clinical report presents some of the findings in Thought Field Therapy (TFT) that show both raising and lowering of heart rate variability (HRV). TFT algorithms are effective, but the specificity of diagnosed treatment gives results that are superior to algorithms. Some TFT treatments take only seconds to yield improved results on HRV. Toxins can undo a cured problem and lower HRV. TFT can overturn the effect of some toxins. It is hypothesized that TFT works by inputting a specific code that addresses and effects the healing system. HRV may be a measure of general physical and mental health.
Abstract:
Thought Field Therapy (TFT) is one of several unusual psychotherapies that have witnessed rapid growth over the past few years, despite the absence of scientific support. Promoters of TFT frequently cite changes in heart rate variability (HRV) as evidence of TFT's effects. Pignotti and Steinberg (2001) present reports of 39 cases in which HRV was assessed prior to and immediately following TFT. Serious methodological shortcomings preclude interpretation of these data with respect to either the efficacy of TFT or the clinical utility of HRV. Ethical concerns are raised about the aggressive promotion of TFT and the misuse of HRV.
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.
Krebserkrankung
Abstract:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of emotional freedom technique (EFT) on sleep quality and happiness of women who underwent breast cancer surgery and lived in military and nonmilitary families.
Design and Methods: The patients were randomly divided into four groups of military intervention (n = 34), nonmilitary intervention (n = 33), military control (n = 31), and nonmilitary control (n = 35). Data were collected using demographic information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.
Findings: The mean scores of sleep quality and happiness in military and nonmilitary intervention groups improved significantly immediately and 1 month after the intervention compared to control groups (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the military and nonmilitary intervention groups regarding the mean scores of sleep quality and happiness before, immediately, and 1 month after the intervention (p > 0.05).
Practice Implications: Given the efficacy of EFT in improving sleep quality and happiness, it is recommended that this technique be taught to nurses to implement in the entire process of providing nursing care to cancer patients.
Abstract:
Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a prevalent source of comprised quality of life in cancer survivors. This study evaluated the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on self-reported CRCI (sr-CRCI).
Methods: In this prospective multicentre randomised wait-list controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02771028), eligible cancer survivors had completed curative treatment, were 18 years or older and screened positive for sr-CRCI on the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Participants were randomised to the immediate treatment group (ITG) or wait-list control (WLC) group, based on age, gender, treatment (chemotherapy or not), and centre. The ITG started to apply EFT after inclusion and performed this for 16 weeks. The WLC group could only start the application of EFT after 8 weeks of waiting. Evaluations took place at baseline (T0), 8 weeks (T1) and 16 weeks (T2). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with sr-CRCI according to the CFQ score.
Findings: Between October 2016 and March 2020, 121 patients were recruited with CFQ > 43 indicating sr- CRCI. At T1, the number of patients scoring positive on the CFQ was significantly reduced in the ITG compared to the WLC group (40.8% vs. 87.3% respectively; p<0.01). For the WLC group, a reduction in CFQ scores was observed at T2, comparable to the effect of the ITG at T1. Linear mixed model analyses indicated a statistically significant reduction in the CFQ score, distress, depressive symptoms, fatigue and also an improvement in quality of life.
Interpretation: This study provides evidence for the application of EFT for sr-CRCI in cancer survivors and suggests that EFT may be useful for other symptoms in cancer survivors.
Abstract:
Background: Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a simple and common self-help technique, which is also known as ‘Tapping’. It combines elements of exposure therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and somatic stimulation. It is widespread in the public domain; Meta- analyses show that EFT is effective for anxiety, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are no studies examining the effect of EFT for palliative patients.
Case Presentation: This case report presents three cases of emotional distress in palliative patients.
Case Management: Each patient was treated using EFT.
Case Outcome: Following treatment using EFT, all of the patients’ emotional distress was decreased and within a very short time.
Conclusions: EFT is a very simple, effective and safe technique. EFT has the potential to be a powerful tool to improve the care of palliative patients who have distressing emotions.
Abstract: Adverse effects associated with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitor use are the most common reason reported by women with breast cancer for discontinuing hormonal therapies. Poor compliance is associated with an increased risk of mortality and early recurrence. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for improving mood state, and secondarily, menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and pain experienced by women with breast cancer receiving hormonal therapies.
Methods: Participants (n = 41) received a three-week course of EFT, consisting of one session of three hours per week, followed by use of the self-tool over the next nine weeks as required. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess mood, pain, fatigue, endocrine (menopausal) symptoms and hot flushes and night sweats, together with a hot flush diary, at baseline and at 6 and 12 weeks. Participants also completed 7-day home practice sheets for the first six weeks, a feedback form at six weeks and were invited to attend a follow-up focus group at eight weeks.
Results: Statistically significant improvements in Total Mood Disturbance (p = 0.005; p = 0.008), and anxiety (p = 0.003; p = 0.028), depression (p = 0.006; p = 0.020) and fatigue (p = 0.008; p = 0.033) occurred at both 6 and 12 weeks, respectively, compared to baseline. In addition, mean fatigue interference and global scores, numbers of hot flushes and the hot flush problem rating score decreased at 6 and/or 12 weeks.
Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that EFT may be an effective self-help tool for women with breast cancer experiencing side effects from hormonal therapies
Abstract: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group. The study was conducted at the Arifin Achmad Hospital in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. Purposive sampling technique with inclusion criteria was used to recruit 30 respondents. The instrument in this study used in both groups was a questionnaire that has been tested for validity and realibility. The data were analyzed using paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test. The results in experimental group showed p value (0.005)
Abstract: “Tessa” was diagnosed with a stage four mixed small and large cell follicular non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 51. She was treated at Dr. Burzynski’s clinic in Houston, Texas. Her treatment was supported by Thought Field Therapy® (TFT) procedures such as eliminating the trauma and anxiety associated with having cancer as well as treatments for Psychological Reversals (PR), which is assumed to promote greater bioenergy healing flow. Unpleasant side effects of necessary medications were also greatly reduced or eliminated with a treatment recently developed by Dr. Callahan, who founded and developed TFT. The combined treatments were successful, and she has been cancer free for a year and a half.
Lern(störung)en
Online/Telefon-Anwendungen
Phobien
Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung
Abstract:
Purpose: To assess the feasibility of measuring changes in gene expression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment using emotional freedom techniques (EFT).
Setting: A community clinic and a research institute in California.
Intervention: Ten hour-long sessions of EFT.
Analysis: Pre-, posttreatment, and follow-up mean scores on questionnaires were assessed using repeated measures 1-way analysis of variance. A Student t test and post hoc analyses were performed on gene expression data.
Conclusion: Study results identify candidate gene expression correlates of successful PTSD treatment, providing guidelines for the design of further studies aimed at exploring the epigenetic effects of EFT.
Background: High prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active military and veterans present a treatment challenge. Many PTSD studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
Objectives. To develop clinical best practice guidelines for the use of EFT to treat PTSD, on the basis of the published literature, practitioner experience, and typical case histories.
Methods. We surveyed 448 EFT practitioners to gather information on their experiences with PTSD treatment. This included their demographic profiles, prior training, professional settings, use of assessments, and PTSD treatment practices. We used their responses, with the research evidence base, to formulate clinical guidelines applying the “stepped care” treatment model used by the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Results. Most practitioners (63%) reported that even complex PTSD can be remediated in 10 or fewer EFT sessions. Some 65% of practitioners found that more than 60% of PTSD clients are fully rehabilitated, and 89% stated that less than 10% of clients make little or no progress. Practitioners combined EFT with a wide variety of other approaches, especially cognitive therapy. Practitioner responses, evidence from the literature, and the results of a meta-analysis were aggregated into a proposed clinical guideline.
Conclusion. We recommend a stepped care model, with 5 EFT therapy sessions for subclinical PTSD and 10 sessions for clinical PTSD, in addition to group therapy, online self-help resources, and social support. Clients who fail to respond should be referred for appropriate further care.
Abstract:
Schlaf / Traum
Schmerz körperlicher
allgemein
chronisch
Fibromyalgie
Kopfschmerz
Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate the short-term effects of the emotional freedom technique (EFT) on tension-type headache (TTH) sufferers.
Design: We used a parallel-group design, with participants randomly assigned to the emotional freedom intervention (n = 19) or a control arm (standard care n = 16).
Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient Headache Clinic at the Korgialenio Benakio Hospital of Athens
Participants: Thirty-five patients meeting criteria for frequent TTH according to International Headache Society guidelines were enrolled.
Intervention: Participants were instructed to use the EFT method twice a day for two months.
Outcome Measures: Study measures included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Short-Form questionnaire-36. Salivary cortisol levels and the frequency and intensity of headache episodes were also assessed.
Results: Within the treatment arm, perceived stress, scores for all Short-Form questionnaire-36 subscales, and the frequency and intensity of the headache episodes were all significantly reduced. No differences in cortisol levels were found in any group before and after the intervention.
Conclusions: EFT was reported to benefit patients with TTH. This randomized controlled trial shows promising results for not only the frequency and severity of headaches but also other lifestyle parameters.
Phantomschmerz
Abstract: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a form of chronic neuropathic pain that responds poorly to treatment interventions derived from the neuroanatomic understanding of pain and analgesia. Several new psychological and behavioral treatments that have proven more effective have been explained by invoking neural plasticity as their mechanism of action. Other novel treatments that are based on an "energy medicine" model also appear to be quite effective, especially when addressing the psychological trauma of the amputation itself, a factor that is generally overlooked in the standard surgical approach to limb amputation. A speculative trauma/energy model for the etiology of PLP is proposed. This model is developed in some detail, and its utility in explaining several anomalous aspects of PLP, as well as the clinical efficacy of energy therapies, is outlined. This model is proposed as a step in the development of simple and effective energy/trauma treatment protocols for this widespread and largely treatment-resistant disorder.
Sport
Abstract: EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), also known as "tapping," is a relatively recent form of energy psychology that combines applied kinesiology with certain psychological principles to alleviate psychological distress in individuals. In this technique, the clients are required to softly touch their acupressure points (mostly on the head/hands) with their fingertips that is aligned to the voicing of specific statements (Craig, 2011). Recent researches have connoted the influence of EFT on various neurological, physiological, and epigenetic factors (Church, 2013). However, there is a dearth of literature that seeks to establish the effects of EFT on the physiological components such as blood pressure, heart rate or galvanic skin response, especially in the context of athletes. Hence, the present study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of an EFT based intervention on the heart rate and blood pressure (circulatory system) and performance of 10m air pistol shooters. The sample for the given study comprises of National level shooters, aged between 16-17 years (N=14, Mean and S.D of 16.42 ± 0.51) who were randomly assigned to experimental (N=7) and active control group (N=7) conditions. The experimental group was then treated to a 3-week (2 sessions per week) EFT program while the active control was kept engaged through inspirational lecture by the coach for the same duration. For the purpose of assessment of the effect of EFT on circulatory system, measures of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded, while for performance, the shot accuracy of the shooter was noted. Post intervention analysis of results indicated significant improvements in HR (-4.62% ,p=0.01), systolic BP (-3.6% ,p=0.001), diastolic BP (-5.16% ,p=0.004) and performance (+1.21% ,p=0.01) of the experimental group implying the effectiveness of EFT as a suitable intervention program for improved readings in heart rate and blood pressure (circulatory system) measures along with shooting performance (shot accuracy) of the athletes.
Abstract:
Purpose: To determine whether a single session of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) could reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories related to sports performance and lead to increased confidence levels in athletes. Background: A relationship has been noted in other studies between sports performance and psychological factors such as confidence and anxiety levels. Critical incidents, which are experienced as traumatic memories, are associated with increased levels of psychological distress across a variety of symptom domains. Brief EFT sessions have been demonstrated to improve sports performance and reduce anxiety.
Methods: Female college athletes (N = 10) with traumatic memories were assessed on three self-reports and one objective measure (pulse rate). Subjective measures were the State Sport Confidence Inventory, Subjective Units of Distress (SUD), and the Critical Sport Incident Recall (CSIR) questionnaire, which measured both emotional and physical forms of distress. Subjects received a single 20-min EFT session. Baseline values were obtained, as well as pre-, post-, and 60-day follow-ups.
Results: Significant post-intervention improvements were found in SUD, for both emotional and physical components of CSIR, and for performance confidence levels (p = .001). The change in pulse rate was marginally significant (p = .087). All participant gains were maintained on follow-up.
Conclusions: EFT may increase sport confidence levels by reducing the emotional and physical distress associated with the recall of critical incidents. Applications in Sport: A brief application of EFT employed immediately prior to competition may increase confidence and mediate anxiety.
Abstract: This study involved the use of a short session of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with two English ladies soccer teams. It is a randomized controlled trial with a supporting uncontrolled trial. It was designed to verify the results of an earlier similar American trial involving basketball players. The results show a significant improvement in goal scoring ability from a dead ball situation following a short EFT session. These results support those of the earlier trial.
Abstract: This study explored whether a meridian-based intervention termed the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) could reduce Type I ‘yips’ symptoms. EFT was applied to a single figure handicap golfer in an attempt to overcome the performance decrements the player had suffered. The participant underwent four 2-hr sessions of EFT. The EFT involved the stimulation of various acupuncture points on the body. The appropriate acupuncture points were tapped while the participant was tuned into the perceived psychological causes (significant life event) associated with his ‘yips’ experience. Dependent variables included: visual inspection of the ‘yips’, putting success rate and motion analysis data. Improvements in ‘yips’ symptoms occurred across all dependent measures. Social validation data also illustrated that these improvements transferred to the competitive situation on the golf course. It is possible that significant life events may be a causal factor in the ‘yips’ experience and that EFT may be an effective treatment for the ‘yips’ condition.
Abstract: Church (2009) studied basketball free-throw performance of college varsity athletes, comparing (a) a brief treatment of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) with (b) an encouraging talk. A re-examination of Church’s data supported his conclusion that the EFT treatment led to relatively better performance compared with the control group. In addition, we found (a) the reported improvement within the EFT condition was not significant, whereas the control condition decrement was significant and robust; (b) the positive effect of EFT thus took the form of an avoidance of the strong performance decrement seen in the control group; and (c) men and women contributed about equally to these findings. To avoid an apparent ceiling effect, future researchers should use a more difficult free-throw task. Because this apparent ceiling effect may have caused the distribution of scores to deviate from normality, we confirmed the above reported findings from parametric analyses using nonparametric tests.
Abstract: The present study investigates the effect of a psychophysiological intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), on athletic performance. It evaluates whether a single EFT treatment can produce an improvement in high- performance men’s and women’s PAC-10 college basketball team members (n = 26). The treatment group received a 15 minute EFT session while a performance-matched attention control group received a placebo intervention of similar duration. Performance was measured on free throws and vertical jump height. The time frame of data collection and treatment simulated an actual basketball game. A statistically significant difference between the two groups was found for free throws (p<.03). On post-test, players who received the EFT intervention improved an average of 20.8%, while the attention control group decreased an average of 16.6%. There was no difference between treatment groups in jump height. When performance was analyzed separately by gender, trends toward significance were found for the women’s team on both performance measures with better results for the EFT intervention group. This indicates that EFT performed as an intervention during the course of an athletic event may improve free throw performance.
Stress
Sucht
allgemein
Drogen
National Narcotics Agency (BNN) of Bandung records that there are 25,000 young people in Bandung who are drug users. Based on the results of interviews with ten prisoners said they often feel bored, stressed, depressed, sad and hopeless. Based on this phenomenon it is necessary to support rehabilitation programs for drug addictions through therapy with a spiritual approach. A spiritual approach is Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) therapy, which is a combination of Spiritual Power and Energy. The results of the activity showed that the participants were able to do self-healing using the SEFT method, which was felt to be effective in helping participants manage emotional and spiritual problems during the prison, evidenced by an increase in the percentage of self-control ability and a positive effect, while anxiety and depression decrease. Participants also experienced an increase in the percentage of positive religious coping. Therefore, prisons are advised to keep monitoring self-healing activities with SEFT which is recommended to be routinely carried out by rehabilitation participants even though the program has finished, because at any time the participants' mental and spiritual health conditions may change.
Rauchen
Wut
Abstract:
Context: Hwabyung is a psychosomatic disease resulting from the suppression of anger over an extended period. The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) are meridian-based psychotherapy known to cure many psychosomatic diseases, and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a therapeutic method that relieves physical and psychological tension by repeated tensing and relaxation of the muscles.
Object: In this study, we compared the effects of EFT and PMR in patients with Hwabyung.
Design: 40 patients were enrolled and randomized to receive 4 weeks of group sessions with either EFT (n = 20) or PMR (n = 20). Evaluations were conducted pre- and post-treatment and at 4-week and 24-week follow-ups after session end.
Main outcome measures: The Hwabyung Scale, Visual Analogue Scale of Hwabyung Symptoms (VAS-HS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) were administered as self-report tools. The analysis excluded 8 patients who never attended treatment and 1 patient meeting the exclusion criteria.
Result: EFT (n = 15) and PMR (n = 16) improved Hwabyung symptoms (-13.95% and -11.46%, respectively), state anxiety (-12.57% and -12.64%, respectively), and depression (-32.11% and -18.68%, respectively) (p < 0.05 for all). Trait anger improved in EFT group (-13.4%, p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05) except for trait anger at post-treatment (p = 0.022 for between group). No adverse events were reported during the study.
Abstract:
Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Emotion FreedomTechniques (EFT) group treatment program for Hwa-byung (suppressed anger) patients.
Methods: Thirteen Hwa-byung patients participated in a four week program of EFT group treatment. One-hour sessions were administered weekly. Between sessions, participants self-administered EFT in order to control their symptoms. Four weeks after the program ended, we interviewed the participants using a semi-structured interview. Data collected was summarized using qualitative analysis.
Results: The EFT group treatment program produced positive effects in physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms. Most of the participants experienced relief from Hwabyung symptoms like chest tightness, hot flashes, and insomnia. Their ability to cope with stress improved and their re-experiencing of past memories decreased. Their distorted self-images were improved. A decrease in negative emotions and an increase in positive emotions was noted. Participants were able control their symptoms between sessions with EFT. In addition, the group therapy format helped participants to develop social support.
Conclusions: An EFT group treatment program can relieve the physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms of Hwa-byung. This program can be applied in psychotherapeutic treatment of Hwa-byung.
Zwänge
Abstract:
Meridian-tapping (MT) is a body-oriented therapeutic technique which among other psychological problems targets anxiety disorders. Despite bold claims by some of its advocates that it brings lasting success in the vast majority of patients with anxiety disorders, solid empirical evidence for its effectiveness is scarce and its theoretical foundations are refuted by many scientists. The present study tested the effectiveness of a published MT self-help approach for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Following a baseline assessment over the internet including standard outcome measures for OCD (Y-BOCS, OCI-R) and depression (BDI-SF), 70 participants with OCD were randomly allocated to MT or to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Four weeks after the dispatch of the self-help manuals (including video demonstrations of the technique), participants were requested to take part in a post assessment. Whereas subjects found MT more helpful than PMR in retrospect (39% versus 19%) and would continue to use it in the future (72% versus 48%) there was no evidence for a stronger decline of OCD symptoms under MT on any of the psychometric measures. Moreover, Y-BOCS scores did not significantly change across time for both interventions. The present study does not support bold claims about the effectiveness of MT as a stand-alone technique. Cognitive-behavioral therapy remains the treatment of choice for OCD. While self-help MT may enhance the well-being of a subgroup of participants, its potential for OCD appears to be small. Exaggerated success claims on the effectiveness of MT in conjunction with degrading appraisals of conventional psychotherapy as made by some of its leading figures may in our view foster fatalism in patients not experiencing major symptom relief by MT.
Verschiedene Themen
- Implications for Rehabilitation
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Rehabilitation professionals should incorporate suitable psychological interventions (e.g., EFT) to improve coping and acceptance in physical chronic disease patients and alleviate their fears about the future.
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Rehabilitation professionals are also recommended to address in chronic disease patients, long-standing or unresolved emotional issues, including past traumas from early life, using EFT or another suitable intervention.
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Rehabilitation professionals should help improve patients’ emotional states using EFT to enhance physical symptom management.
Metastudien / Theorie
Abstract:
Purpose: To assess the feasibility of measuring changes in gene expression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment using emotional freedom techniques (EFT).
Setting: A community clinic and a research institute in California.
Intervention: Ten hour-long sessions of EFT.
Analysis: Pre-, posttreatment, and follow-up mean scores on questionnaires were assessed using repeated measures 1-way analysis of variance. A Student t test and post hoc analyses were performed on gene expression data.
Conclusion: Study results identify candidate gene expression correlates of successful PTSD treatment, providing guidelines for the design of further studies aimed at exploring the epigenetic effects of EFT.
Abstract:
Abstract: Brain processing of acupuncture stimuli in chronic neuropathic pain patients may underlie its beneficial effects. We used fMRI to evaluate verum and sham acupuncture stimulation at acupoint LI-4 in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) patients and healthy controls (HC). CTS patients were retested after 5 weeks of acupuncture therapy. Thus, we investigated both the short-term brain response to acupuncture stimulation, as well as the influence of longer-term acupuncture therapy effects on this short-term response. CTS patients responded to verum acupuncture with greater activation in the hypothalamus and deactivation in the amygdala as compared to HC, controlling for the non-specific effects of sham acupuncture. A similar difference was found between CTS patients at baseline and after acupuncture therapy. For baseline CTS patients responding to verum acupuncture, functional connectivity was found between the hypothalamus and amygdala – the less deactivation in the amygdala, the greater the activation in the hypothalamus, and vice versa. Furthermore, hypothalamic response correlated positively with the degree of maladaptive cortical plasticity in CTS patients (inter-digit separation distance). This is the first evidence suggesting that chronic pain patients respond to acupuncture differently than HC, through a coordinated limbic network including the hypothalamus and amygdala.
Abstract: