Energy Psychology Research

Energy Psychology research demonstrates the powerful benefits of techniques like EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) or "Meridian Tapping." After many years of resistance and skepticism from the mainstream psychological community, EFT is finally taken seriously as a very effective, legitimate treatment modality for rapid resolution of emotional trauma (PTSD) and other mental/emotional conditions.


Energy Psychology techniques such as TFT and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) have been rapidly evolving for more than two decades. We now have a growing body of clinical research, including many peer-reviewed scientific studies published in mainstream professional journals. The results of these studies is overwhelmingly positive and validates the life-changing results that thousands of practitioners and individuals have experienced for years.


For an excellent review of the research, including anecdotal reports, case studies, and over a dozen randomized, controlled and peer reviewed scientific studies on EFT/Energy Psychology, please visit:


Energy Psychology Research and EFT Research


Randomized Controlled Trials with Potentially Strong Generalizability 

Baker, A. H., & Siegel, L. S. (2010). Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) reduces intense fears: A partial replication and extension of Wells et al. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, & Treatment, 2(2), p 13-30.


Bougea, A., Spandideas, N., Alexopoulos, E. et al.  (2013).  Effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique on Perceived Stress, Quality of Life, and Cortisol Salivary Levels in Tension-Type Headache Sufferers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.  Explore, 9(2), 91–99.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2012.12.005,


Brattberg, G. (2008). Self-administered EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) in individuals with fibromyalgia: a randomized trial.  Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, August/September 2008.


Church, D. (2009). The Effect of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on athletic performance: A randomized controlled blind trial.  The Open Sports Sciences Journal, 9, 94-99.


Church, D. (2008). Measuring physiological markers of emotional trauma: A randomized controlled trial of mind-body therapies. Paper presented at tenth annual ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology) conference, May 2008.


Church, D., De Asis, M., Brooks, A. (2012)   Brief group intervention using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) for depression in college students: A randomized controlled trial. Accepted for publication in the Journal of Depression Research and Treatment.


Church, D., Hawk, C, Brooks, A., Toukolehto, O., Wren, M., Dinter, I., Stein, P. (2013).  Psychological trauma symptom improvement in veterans using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 201(2),153–160.


Church, D., Piña, O., Reategui, C., & Brooks, A. (2011). Single session reduction of the intensity of traumatic memories in abused adolescents after EFT: A randomized controlled pilot study. Traumatology.  doi:10.1177/1534765611426788


Church, D., Yount, G. & Brooks, A. (2011).   The effect of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 200(10), 891–896.


Connolly, S.M., & Sakai, C.E. (2012). Brief trauma symptom intervention with Rwandan genocide survivors using Thought Field Therapy. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health, 13 (3), 161-172.


Elder, C., Ritenbaugh, C. et al.  (2007).  Randomized trial of two mind-body interventions for weight loss maintenance.  Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13(1), 67-78.


Karatzias, T., Power, K., Brown, K., McGoldrick, T., Begum, M., Young, J. . . . & Adams, S. (2011). A controlled comparison of the effectiveness and efficiency of two psychological therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing vs. Emotional Freedom Techniques. Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 199, 372-378. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31821cd262


Jones, S., Thornton, J. & Andrews, H.  (2011).   Efficacy of EFT in reducing public speaking anxiety: A randomized controlled trial.  Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, Treatment, 3(1).


Kober A., Scheck, T., Greher, M., Lieba, F., Fleischhackl, R., Fleischhackl, S. . . . & Hoerauf, K. (2002). Pre-hospital analgesia with acupressure in victims of minor trauma: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 95(3), 723-727.


Llewellyn-Edwards, T., & Llewellyn-Edwards, M. (2012, Spring). The effect of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on soccer performance. Fidelity: Journal for the National Council of Psychotherapy, 47, 14 – 19.


Middleton, T. & O’Donnell, E. (2011).  The efficacy of EFT delivered by phone vs office visits: A randomized controlled trial.  Energy Psychology: Theory, Research & Treatment, 3(2).


Salas, M., Brooks, A., & Rowe, J.  (2011).  The immediate effect of a brief energy psychology intervention (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on specific phobias: A pilot study. Explore, 7, 155-161.


Schoninger, B. & Hartung, J. (2010). Changes on self-report measures of public speaking anxiety following treatment with Thought Field Therapy. 
Energy Psychology: Theory, Practice, Research, 2(1).


Sezgin, N., Ozcan, B., Church, D., (2009). The effect of two psychophysiological techniques (Progressive Muscular Relaxation and Emotional Freedom Techniques) on test anxiety in high school students: A randomized blind controlled study. International Journal of Healing and Caring, 9(1).


Stapleton, P., Church, D., Sheldon, T., Porter, B., & Carlopio, C.  (2013).  Depression symptoms improve after successful weight loss with emotional freedom techniques. ISRN Psychiatry, article ID 573532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/573532


Stapleton, P., Sheldon, T., Porter, B., & Whitty, J. (2010).   A randomized clinical trial of a meridian-based intervention for food cravings with six month follow-up. Behaviour Change, 28(1), 1-16.


Stapleton, P., Sheldon, T., & Porter, B. (2012). Clinical benefits of Emotional Freedom Techniques on food cravings at 12-months follow-up: A randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, & Treatment, 4(1), 13-24. doi: 10.9769.EPJ.2012.4.1.PS


Stein, P. & Brooks, A. (2011). Efficacy of EFT provided by coaches versus licensed therapists in veterans with PTSD. Energy Psychology Journal: Theory, Research, & Treatment, 3(1).


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, 59(9) 943-966.


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