EFT Research

Research on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

This report gives information about research on EFT including information on how you can cite the references in the field should you wish to do so.

Completed Research

An excellent study by psychologist Steve Wells and his associates in Australia and the United States studied the effects of EFT on phobias of small animals and insects. This study is published in a leading peer reviewed journal, the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

The results of the study are impressive. Those subjects who had learned EFT, as compared to those in a comparison group who had learned a deep breathing method, showed significantly greater reduction in their fear of small animals and insects — — both in terms of their ability to approach the feared animal after the treatment, and their self reported indexes of fear. What is more, these results held up just as well six to nine months later as they did at the time of the treatment, showing that the results of EFT are lasting – an important consideration.

The deep breathing group improved also in their symptoms, but significantly less so. All told, this careful study represents a strong confirmation of EFT as a treatment for phobias and common fears. You can cite the Wells et al. research as follows:

Wells, S., Polglase, K., Andrews, H.B., Carrington, P., & Baker, A.H. (2003). Evaluation of a Meridian Based Intervention, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), for Reducing Specific Phobias of Small Animals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 59(9), 943-966

Abstract: This study explored whether a meridian-based procedure, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), can reduce specific phobias of small animals under laboratory-controlled conditions. Randomly assigned participants were treated individually for 30 minutes with EFT (n = 18) or a comparison condition, Diaphragmatic Breathing (DB) (n = 17). ANOVAS revealed that EFT produced significantly greater improvement than did DB behaviorally and on three self-report measures, but not on pulse rate. The greater improvement for EFT was maintained, and possibly enhanced, at 6 – 9 months follow-up on the behavioral measure. These findings suggest that a single treatment session using EFT to reduce specific phobias can produce valid behavioral and subjective effects. Some limitations of the study are also noted and clarifying research suggested.

Another research study, conducted by Dr. Paul Swingle and his colleagues (Swingle, Pulos & Swingle, 2001), studied the effects of EFT on auto accident victims suffering from post traumatic stress disorder — an extremely disabling conditioning that involves unreasonable fears and often panic attacks, physiological symptoms of stress, nightmares, flashbacks, and other disabling symptoms. These researchers found that three months after they had learned EFT (in two sessions) these auto accident victims showed significant positive changes in their brain waves and in self-reported symptoms of stress.

The Swingle at al. study has now been written up and submitted for publication. It can be cited as research since it was presented at a scientific meeting. The researchers are presently attempting to obtain grant money for a much larger study based on this investigation. The new study, if funded, would have more subjects and also a control group. The latter was absent from the present study.

You can use the following citation to report this study:

Swingle, P., Pulos, L., & Swingle, M. (May, 2000). Effects of a meridian-based therapy, EFT, on symptoms of PTSD in auto accident victims. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Las Vegas, NV.

In still another study, Dr. Swingle used EFT as a treatment for children diagnosed with epilepsy. The children were administered EFT by their parents every time each day that the parents suspected a seizure might occur. Swingle found significant reductions in seizure frequency among these very young children, as well as extensive clinical improvement in the children’s E. E. G. readings after exposure to two weeks of daily in-home EFT treatment –– an impressive result. This study has not yet been written up but can be cited as follows:

Swingle, P. (May, 2000). Effects of the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) method on seizure frequency in children diagnosed with epilepsy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, Las Vegas, NV.

Additional Research

NOTE: The groundbreaking research described above has led to numerous additional studies over the years. To peruse this research visit the following pages:

• Emotionally Focused Therapy
• EFT and PTSD
• EFT and Trauma

Dr. Peta Stapleton

TEDx: Is Therapy Facing a Revolution?
December 7, 2018

Dr. Peta Stapleton has led the Australian research into Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or ‘tapping’, which is used to treat a number of conditions including chronic pain, obesity, anxiety and stress. Dr Peta Stapleton has 20 years experience as a registered Clinical and Health Psychologist in Queensland and has been awarded many honours including the Australian Psychological Society Elaine Dignan Award for research into women’s issues, and the 2014 Harvey Baker Award for excellence in Energy Medicine Research. Dr. Peta Stapleton has led the Australian research into Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or ‘tapping’, which is used to treat a number of conditions including chronic pain, obesity, anxiety and stress. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.