Emotional Freedom Techniques: Difference between revisions
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== Studies== |
== Studies== |
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EFT has been the subject of 6 publications as of 2009,<ref name="wells">{{cite journal |author=Wells S, Polglase K, Andrews H, Carrington P, Baker A |title=Evaluation of a meridian-based intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for reducing specific phobias of small animals |journal=J Clin Psychol |volume=59 |issue=9 |pages=943–66 |year=2003 |pmid=12945061 |doi=10.1002/jclp.10189}}</ref><ref name="smmh">{{cite journal | url=http://www.srmhp.org/0201/emotional-freedom-technique.html | title=Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Technique: An Alternative Treatment for Fear | author= Waite WL & Holder MD | journal=The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice | year=2003 | volume=2 | issue=1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.psychologicalpublishing.com/ccpj/contents/v2_i3.htm | last = Rowe | first = JE | title = The Effects of EFT on Long-Term Psychological Symptoms = journal = Counseling and Clinical Psychology | volume = 2 | issue = 3 | year =2005 | pages = 104-111 | issn = 1545-4452}}</ref><ref name=swinglestudy>{{cite journal | url=http://www.issseem.org/storejournals_detail.cfm?articleid=203 | title = Psychological Neurophysiological Indicators of EFT Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress | author= Swingle P; Pulos; Swingle M | journal=International Society for the study of Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine Journal | year=2005 | volume=15 | issue=1}}</ref><ref name=Brattberg2008>{{cite journal | title = Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in Individuals With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Trial | author= Brattberg G | journal=Integrative Medicine | year=2008 | volume=7 | issue=4}}</ref><ref name=Geronilla2009>{{cite journal | url=http://www.wholistichealingresearch.com/jan_2009_v9_n1.html | title = Psychological symptom change in veterans after six sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): an observational study | author= Church D; Geronilla L; Dinter I | journal=The International Journal of Healing and Caring | year=2009 | volume=9 | issue=1}}</ref> with no aggregate analysis of the results. |
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EFT has been the subject of 6 [[peer-review]]ed publications as of 2009. |
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===Wells ''et al.'', 2003=== |
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A 2003 study, funded by the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology and published in the ''[[Journal of Clinical Psychology]]'' involved 35 patients with a [[phobia]] of small animals receiving a single session one of two treatments EFT (18 patients) and [[diaphragmatic breathing]] (17 patients). The EFT group produced better improvements in self-reports of [[anxiety]] and behavioural measures, but no improvement in [[heart rate]].<ref name="wells">{{cite journal |author=Wells S, Polglase K, Andrews H, Carrington P, Baker A |title=Evaluation of a meridian-based intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for reducing specific phobias of small animals |journal=J Clin Psychol |volume=59 |issue=9 |pages=943–66 |year=2003 |pmid=12945061 |doi=10.1002/jclp.10189}}</ref> |
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=== Waite & Holder, 2003=== |
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A 2003 study evaluated four groups of individuals with phobias - the first group involved participants tapping on points identified in the EFT manual, a second group who performed the same number of taps but on sham locations, a third group tapping the same points, but on an inanimate object (a doll), and a condition who performed an unrelated task (making a toy). The three tapping groups showed the same degree of improvement. The authors suggested that the test indicated there is no merit to the "energy meridian" theory of EFT, suggesting improvements due to EFT may be the result of [[systematic desensitization]], distraction, [[demand characteristics]] and focus on breathing.<ref name="smmh">{{cite journal | url=http://www.srmhp.org/0201/emotional-freedom-technique.html | title=Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Technique: An Alternative Treatment for Fear | author= Waite WL & Holder MD | journal=The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice | year=2003 | volume=2 | issue=1 }}</ref> |
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===Rowe, 2005=== |
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A 2005 study evaluated the effectiveness of an EFT workshop on 102 participants. Using a [[time-series]], the participants were tested 1 month before, at the beginning of the workshop, at the end of the workshop, 1 month after the workshop as a follow-up, and 6 months after the workshop as a second follow-up. According to Rowe there was a statistically significant decrease in all measures of psychological distress as measured by the SA-45 from pre-workshop to post-workshop which held up at the 6 month follow-up. However there was no [[control group]] involved in this study and it was only compared to [[cohort]]s.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.psychologicalpublishing.com/ccpj/contents/v2_i3.htm | last = Rowe | first = JE | title = The Effects of EFT on Long-Term Psychological Symptoms = journal = Counseling and Clinical Psychology | volume = 2 | issue = 3 | year =2005 | pages = 104-111 | issn = 1545-4452}}</ref> The study's small sample size and lack of a [[scientific control|control group]] have been criticized; [[Ben Goldacre]], the author of the ''Bad Science'' column in ''[[The Guardian]]'', argued that the study's shortcomings and poor design mean that no real conclusions can be drawn from it.<ref name = badscience>{{cite book |author=[[Ben Goldacre]] |title=Bad Science |publisher=Fourth Estate |location=New York |year=2008 |pages= |isbn=0-00-724019-8 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> |
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===Swingle P, Pulos & Swingle M, 2005=== |
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A 2005 study evaluated the effectiveness of two sessions of EFT treatments on clients who were previously involved in a [[motor vehicle accident]] and reported [[traumatic stress]] associated with the accident. 8 males and 2 females participants were recruited from a newspaper advertisement calling for volunteers. All clients reported improvement immediately following treatment. [[Brainwave]] assessments before and after EFT treatment indicated that clients who sustained the benefit of the EFT treatments had increased 13-15 Hz amplitude over the sensory motor cortex, decreased right frontal cortex arousal and an increased 3-7 Hz / 16-25 Hz ratio in the occiput. <ref name=swinglestudy>{{cite journal | url=http://www.issseem.org/storejournals_detail.cfm?articleid=203 | title = Psychological Neurophysiological Indicators of EFT Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress | author= Swingle P; Pulos; Swingle M | journal=International Society for the study of Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine Journal | year=2005 | volume=15 | issue=1}}</ref> |
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===Brattberg, 2008=== |
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A randomized, controlled study published in the journal ''[[Integrative Medicine]]'' examined the effects of self-administered EFT on 86 women diagnosed with [[fibromyalgia]] and placed on sick leave for at least 3 months. These women were randomly assigned to a [[treatment group]] or a wait-listed group (control group). For those in the treatment group, an 8-week EFT treatment program was administered via the Internet. Upon completion of the program, statistically significant improvements were observed in the group using self-administered EFT in comparison with the wait-listed control group for variables such as [[pain]], [[anxiety]], [[depression]], [[vitality]], [[social function]], [[mental health]], [[performance]] problems involving work or other activities due to physical as well as emotional reasons, and stress symptoms. However, no difference in pain willingness between the groups was observed. Additionally, some of the subjects did not comply with the study's predesigned forms for measuring improvement, and instead wrote to the study authors informally about their experience with EFT. Therefore, it was impossible to illustrate the improvement curve in a graph. The author concluded that it would be of interest to further study this simple and easily accessible self-administered treatment method, that can even be taught over the Internet.<ref name=Brattberg2008>{{cite journal | title = Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in Individuals With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Trial | author= Brattberg G | journal=Integrative Medicine | year=2008 | volume=7 | issue=4}}</ref> |
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[[File:DawsonChurchEFT.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Dawson Church]] using EFT]] |
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===[[Dawson Church|Church]], Geronilla & Dinter, 2009=== |
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An uncontrolled 2009 [[observational study]] examined the effects of six sessions of EFT on seven veterans, assessed by a measure of [[cortisol]] levels and a validated paper and pencil test (SA-45) before and after treatment and again after a 90-day followup.<ref name=Geronilla2009>{{cite journal | url=http://www.wholistichealingresearch.com/jan_2009_v9_n1.html | title = Psychological symptom change in veterans after six sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): an observational study | author= Church D; Geronilla L; Dinter I | journal=The International Journal of Healing and Caring | year=2009 | volume=9 | issue=1}}</ref>This pilot study of Iraq and Vietnam veterans found that six sessions of EFT treatment resulted in statistically significant drops in participants’ levels of anxiety, depression, [[posttraumatic stress]] [[syndrome]], and overall psychological distress. The study was published in ''The International Journal of Healing and Caring'', a publication dedicated to [[complementary medicine|complementary]] and "wholistic" medicine, and whose editor-in-chief is a proponent of Emotional Freedom Technique and other meridian-based psychotherapies.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wholistichealingresearch.com/editorialpanel.html | title = Editorial Panel: International Journal of Healing and Caring | date= 2009 | accessdate = June 14, 2009}}</ref> |
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== Criticism == |
== Criticism == |
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Revision as of 00:32, 29 June 2009
Template:Infobox Energy Psychology
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a form of alternative psychotherapy. It is based on the theory that negative emotions are caused by disturbances in the body's energy system and that tapping on acupuncture points while focusing on a specific traumatic memory balances the system, thereby neutralizing the negative emotion. There are five studies which appear to show positive outcomes from use of the techniques, but another study has suggested that it is indistinguishable from the placebo effect. Critics have described the theory behind EFT as pseudoscientific and have suggested that any utility stems from its more traditional cognitive components, such as distraction from negative thoughts, rather than from manipulation of supposed meridians.
History
At the age of 13, Gary Craig realized that the quality of one’s life was directly related to their emotional health. Gary Craig took this concept very seriously and read hundreds of books as well as spent thousands of dollars on seminars and tapes. He talked to psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists about all kinds of techniques. He however found that the vast majority of techniques do very little to give people rapid, long lasting relief from their emotional problems. Gary had never formally used his training as an engineer, but instead had always chosen people oriented professions and had at the same time always pursued his true passion as a Personal Performance Coach.
Although he had never been an engineeer, it did not mean that he wasn’t influenced by his formal training as a Stanford engineer. In fact, that training led him to many useful performance tools. One of the tools that he thought was quite helpful was Neuro-linguistic programming, in which he became a certified master practitioner. One day, he was told about a psychologist named Dr. Roger Callahan, who claimed that he could cure people’s phobias in five minutes. So Gary called him immediately, Callahan told him that his methods were not just limited to phobias but applied to all negative emotions. He was very enthusiastic about his claims, but on the other hand sceptic. He told him that the method consisted of tapping with the fingertips at the end points of the body's energy meridians. He was sceptic about the use of energy meridian's as a form of psychotherapy, but nevertheless bought some of his video as a demonstration. Gary was stunned by what he saw, it was clear and obvious to him that people were getting beyond the most intense of emotions in a few moments and the results were long lasting. [1]
In 1993, Craig was the first person Callahan trained in his most advanced procedure, a proprietary procedure known as Voice Technology. Craig found that this technology procedure was no more accurate than Muscle Testing and did not provide pin-point accuracy as Callahan claimed and was therefore unnecessary. Craig states that it is Dr Callahan's view that the voice carries within it the code of what is happening in the body's energy system. Craig had never seen the code, nor has any evidence that it exists. Further Craig had done Voice Technology without the voice on many occasions. [2] [3] Callahan used different algorithms in Thought Field Therapy, however Gary found through his experience that the sequence of the tapping points did not matter and so had simplified Callahan's technique by the mid-1990s.
Theory
The basis of EFT is the belief that negative emotions are caused by disturbances in the body's energy field. EFT theory derives from similar beliefs held by those who practice acupuncture.[1]
Studies
EFT has been the subject of 6 publications as of 2009,[4][5][6][7][8][9] with no aggregate analysis of the results.
Criticism
EFT has been labeled as pseudoscience in the Skeptical Inquirer magazine, based on what the journal describes as its lack of falsifiability, reliance on anecdotal evidence and aggressive promotion via the Internet.[10] Gary Craig, the developer of EFT, has argued that tapping anywhere on the body will manipulate "energy meridians". There are many points used by acupuncturists which are not included in EFT methodology, and tapping one of those may have an accidental effect not yet explored. Skeptics have asserted that such an argument renders EFT untestable via the scientific method, and therefore a pseudoscience.[10] This argument is also addressed by the Waite and Holder paper, in which the participants tapped on a doll, rather than themselves. Waite and Holder have suggested that EFT's successes are likely to stem from "characteristics it shares with more traditional therapies", rather than manipulation of supposed "energy meridians" via tapping. The 2003 study showed that EFT, a modeling treatment and a placebo all produced a significant decrease in anxiety and fear over a control group.[5] A 2007 article in the Guardian suggested that the act of tapping parts of the body in a complicated sequence acts as a distraction, and therefore can appear to alleviate the root distress.[11]
See Also
References
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
manualwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ About Voice Technology
- ^ Scientific evolution of EFT from TFT
- ^ Wells S, Polglase K, Andrews H, Carrington P, Baker A (2003). "Evaluation of a meridian-based intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for reducing specific phobias of small animals". J Clin Psychol. 59 (9): 943–66. doi:10.1002/jclp.10189. PMID 12945061.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Waite WL & Holder MD (2003). "Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Technique: An Alternative Treatment for Fear". The Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. 2 (1).
- ^ Rowe, JE (2005). "The Effects of EFT on Long-Term Psychological Symptoms = journal = Counseling and Clinical Psychology". 2 (3): 104–111. ISSN 1545-4452.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Swingle P; Pulos; Swingle M (2005). "Psychological Neurophysiological Indicators of EFT Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress". International Society for the study of Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine Journal. 15 (1).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Brattberg G (2008). "Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in Individuals With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Trial". Integrative Medicine. 7 (4).
- ^ Church D; Geronilla L; Dinter I (2009). "Psychological symptom change in veterans after six sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): an observational study". The International Journal of Healing and Caring. 9 (1).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Brandon A. Gaudiano and James D. Herbert (2000). "Can we really tap our problems away?". Skeptical Inquirer. 24 (4).
- ^ Oliver Burkeman (March 2007). "Happy Talk". Guardian Monthly.