Emotional Freedom Techniques: Difference between revisions
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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A [[Delphi method|Delphi]] poll of an expert panel of psychologists rated EFT on a scale describing how discredited EFT has been in the field of psychology. On average, this panel found EFT had a score of 3.8 on a scale from 1.0 to 5.0, with 3.0 meaning "possibly discredited" and a 4.0 meaning "probably discredited."<ref name=Delphi>{{cite journal|last=Norcross|first=John C.|author2=Koocher, Gerald P. |author3=Garofalo, Ariele |s2cid=35414392|title=Discredited psychological treatments and tests: A Delphi poll.|journal=Professional Psychology: Research and Practice|date=1 January 2006|volume=37|issue=5|pages=515–522|doi=10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515}}</ref> A book examining pseudoscientific practices in psychology characterized EFT as one of a number of "fringe psychotherapeutic practices,"<ref name=Guilford>{{cite book|first=Scott O. |last=Lilienfeld|title=Science and pseudoscience in clinical psychology|year=2003|publisher=Guilford Press|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=1-57230-828-1|pages=2|edition=Paperback}}</ref> and a psychiatry handbook states EFT has "all the hallmarks of [[pseudoscience]]."<ref name=Oxford>{{cite book|first=David |last=Semple|title=Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry|year=2013|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=978-0-19-969388-7|pages=393}}</ref> |
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EFT, along with its predecessor, [[Thought Field Therapy]], has been dismissed with warnings to avoid their use by publications such as ''[[The Skeptic's Dictionary]]''<ref name=skepdic>{{cite web|title=Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)|url=http://www.skepdic.com/eft.html|access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> and [[Quackwatch]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Barrett|first=Stephen| author-link = Stephen Barrett|title=Mental Help: Procedures to Avoid|date=9 November 2008 |url=http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mentserv.html|access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> |
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Proponents of EFT and other energy psychology therapies have been "particularly interested" in seeking "scientific credibility" despite the implausible proposed mechanisms for EFT.<ref name = Bakker/> A 2008 review by energy psychology proponent David Feinstein concluded that energy psychology was a potential "rapid and potent treatment for a range of psychological conditions."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Feinstein|first=D|title=Energy psychology: A review of the preliminary evidence.|journal=Psychotherapy|date=Jun 2008|volume=45|issue=2|pages=199–213|pmid=22122417|doi=10.1037/0033-3204.45.2.199}}</ref> However, this work by Feinstein has been widely criticized. One review criticized Feinstein's methodology, noting he ignored several research papers that did not show positive effects of EFT, and that Feinstein did not disclose his [[conflict of interest]] as an owner of a website that sells energy psychology products such as books and seminars, contrary to the best practices of research publication.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Pignotti|first=M|author2=Thyer, B|title=Some comments on "Energy psychology: A review of the evidence": Premature conclusions based on incomplete evidence?|journal=Psychotherapy|date=Jun 2009|volume=46|issue=2|pages=257–61|pmid=22122623|doi=10.1037/a0016027}}</ref> Another review criticized Feinstein's conclusion, which was based on research of weak quality and instead concluded that any positive effects of EFT are due to the more traditional psychological techniques rather than any putative "energy" manipulation.<ref name=McCaslin/> A book published on the subject of [[evidence-based medicine|evidence-based]] treatment of substance abuse called Feinstein's review "incomplete and misleading" and an example of a poorly performed evidence-based review of research.<ref>{{cite book|last=editors|first=Katherine van Wormer, Bruce A. Thyer|title=Evidence-based practice in the field of substance abuse : a book of readings|date=2010|publisher=Sage|location=Thousand Oaks, Calif.|isbn=978-1412975773|page=2}}</ref> |
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Feinstein published another review in 2012, concluding that energy psychology techniques "consistently demonstrated strong effect sizes and other positive statistical results that far exceed chance after relatively few treatment sessions."<ref name="Feinstein">{{cite journal | title=Acupoint stimulation in treating psychological disorders: Evidence of efficacy | author=Feinstein, David | journal=Review of General Psychology |date=December 2012 | volume=16 | issue=4 | pages=364–380 | doi=10.1037/a0028602| s2cid=13929941 }}</ref> This review was also criticized, where again it was noted that Feinstein dismissed higher quality studies which showed no effects of EFT, in favor of methodologically weaker studies which did show a positive effect.<ref name=Bakker/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 04:32, 10 June 2023
| Alternative medicine | |
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| Claims | Tapping on "meridian points" on the body, derived from acupuncture, can release "energy blockages" that cause "negative emotions"[1] |
| Related fields | Acupuncture, Acupressure, Energy medicine |
| Year proposed | 1993 |
| Original proponents | Gary Craig |
| Subsequent proponents | Jack Canfield, Nick Ortner, Joseph Mercola |
| See also | Thought Field Therapy, Tapas Acupressure Technique, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Alternative medicine |
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Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a type of counseling intervention that stimulates acupressure points by pressuring, tapping, or rubbing these points while focusing on situations that represent personal fear or traumata.[2] EFT draws on various theories of alternative medicine – including acupuncture, neuro-linguistic programming, energy medicine, and Thought Field Therapy (TFT). EFT also combines elements of exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and somatic stimulation.[3] It is best known through Gary Craig's EFT Handbook, published in the late 1990s, and related books and workshops by a variety of teachers. EFT and similar techniques are often discussed under the umbrella term "energy psychology."
Advocates claim that the technique may be used to treat a wide variety of physical and psychological disorders, and as a simple form of self-administered therapy.[1] The Skeptical Inquirer describes the foundations of EFT as "a hodgepodge of concepts derived from a variety of sources, [primarily] the ancient Chinese philosophy of chi, which is thought to be the 'life force' that flows throughout the body." The existence of this life force is "not empirically supported."[4]
EFT has no benefit as a therapy beyond (1) the placebo effect or (2) any known effective psychological techniques that may be provided in addition to the purported "energy" technique.[5] It is generally characterized as pseudoscience, and it has not garnered significant support in clinical psychology.[6][7][8]
Process
During a typical EFT session, the person will focus on a specific issue while tapping on "end points of the body's energy meridians." EFT tapping exercises combine elements of cognitive restructuring and exposure techniques with acupoint stimulation.[9] The technique instructs individuals to tap on meridian endpoints of the body – such as the top of the head, eye brows, under eyes, side of eyes, chin, collar bone, and under the arms. While tapping, they recite specific phrases that target an emotional component of a physical symptom.
According to the EFT Manual, the procedure consists of the participant rating the emotional intensity of their reaction on a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) – i.e., a Likert scale for subjective measures of distress, calibrated 0 to 10 – then repeating an orienting affirmation while rubbing or tapping specific points on the body. Some practitioners incorporate eye movements or other tasks. The emotional intensity is then rescored and repeated until no changes are noted in the emotional intensity.[1]
Mechanism
Proponents of EFT and other similar treatments believe that tapping/stimulating acupuncture points provide the basis for significant improvement in psychological problems.[10] However, the theory and mechanisms underlying the supposed effectiveness of EFT have "no evidentiary support" "in the entire history of the sciences of biology, anatomy, physiology, neurology, physics, or psychology." Researchers have described the theoretical model for EFT as "frankly bizarre" and "pseudoscientific."[5] One review noted that one of the highest quality studies found no evidence that the location of tapping points made any difference, and attributed effects to well-known psychological mechanisms, including distraction and breathing therapy.[5][11]
An article in the Skeptical Inquirer argued that there is no plausible mechanism to explain how the specifics of EFT could add to its effectiveness, and they have been described as unfalsifiable and therefore pseudoscientific.[4] Evidence has not been found for the existence of meridians.[12]
Research quality
EFT has useful effect as a therapy as proved by numerous clinical trials
A 2016 systematic review found that EFT was effective in reducing anxiety this was confirmed by numerous studies that followed in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Reception
References
- ^ a b c d Craig, G (n.d.). EFT Manual (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-05-03.
- ^ Rometsch-Ogioun El Sount, C.; Windthorst, P.; Denkinger, J.; Ziser, K.; Nikendei, C.; Kindermann, D.; Ringwald, J.; Renner, V.; Zipfel, S.; Junne, F. (July 14, 2018). "Chronic pain in refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A systematic review on patients' characteristics and specific interventions". Journal of Psychosomatic Research. 118: 83–97. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.07.014. ISSN 0022-3999. PMID 30078503. S2CID 51921784.
- ^ Coyle, Seamus (2017-11-01). "P-173 A role for emotional freedom technique in palliative patients? three case reports". BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 7 (Suppl 2): A71. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2017-hospice.198. ISSN 2045-435X. S2CID 57265859.
- ^ a b Gaudiano, Brandon A.; Herbert, James D. (1 August 2000). "Can We Really Tap Our Problems Away: A Critical Analysis of Thought Field Therapy". skepticalinquirer.org. CFI. Archived from the original on 2021-03-20. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Bakkerwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Delphiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Guilfordwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Oxfordwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Church, Dawson; Stapleton, Peta; Yang, Amy; Gallo, Fred (2018). "Is Tapping on Acupuncture Points an Active Ingredient in Emotional Freedom Techniques? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Comparative Studies". The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. 206 (10): 783–793. doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000000878. ISSN 0022-3018. PMID 30273275. S2CID 52896050.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Feinsteinwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Waite, Wendy L; Holder, Mark D (2003). "Assessment of the Emotional Freedom Technique". Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. 2 (1).
- ^ Singh, S; Ernst E (2008). "The Truth about Acupuncture". Trick or treatment: The undeniable facts about alternative medicine. W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 39–90. ISBN 978-0-393-06661-6.
"Scientists are still unable to find a shred of evidence to support the existence of meridians or Ch'i" (p72), "The traditional principles of acupuncture are deeply flawed, as there is no evidence at all to demonstrate the existence of Ch'i or meridians" (p107)
External links
Media related to Emotional Freedom Techniques at Wikimedia Commons
