2024 Research Highlights - Dr Peta Stapleton
The year 2024 marked a significant advancement in research surrounding Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), commonly known as tapping, especially within medical and hospital settings. A wealth of peer-reviewed studies emerged, demonstrating EFT’s ability to support individuals dealing with a wide range of physical and emotional conditions. The global interest in EFT research spanned from Iraq to Malaysia to New York City, reinforcing its potential as a valuable therapeutic tool in healthcare.
EFT in Medical and Hospital Settings
One of the most notable trends in 2024 was the exploration of EFT in hospital environments. A comprehensive literature review of ten studies (2013-2023) revealed that EFT can effectively reduce anxiety in patients with open wounds, whether from burns, fractures, or surgical procedures. These findings indicate that EFT has broad applicability in wound care anxiety management.
A study on stroke patients examined EFT’s impact on stress levels. Participants were randomly assigned to an EFT intervention group or a control group. The results? Those in the EFT group experienced a significant reduction in stress over six days, while the control group saw no meaningful changes. This highlights EFT’s potential in supporting stroke patients during their recovery.
Supporting Caregivers and Patients with Chronic Conditions
EFT research also extended to caregivers. In an Iranian hospital study, family caregivers of heart failure patients were divided into an EFT group and a control group. Those who underwent six EFT sessions experienced notable reductions in anxiety and caregiver burden, suggesting EFT as a powerful tool for supporting those who care for others.
A separate study in Indonesia investigated EFT for diabetic patients with gangrene wounds. After just three EFT sessions, participants reported significant decreases in anxiety, reinforcing the potential of brief EFT interventions for medical patients.
Another randomized controlled trial in Turkey explored EFT’s effects on pre-surgical fear and anxiety. Among 112 patients, those who received EFT demonstrated significantly lower fear levels and reduced distress, emphasizing EFT’s ability to ease pre-surgical nervousness.
EFT for Anxiety, PTSD, and Workplace Stress
EFT’s benefits extend beyond medical settings. Research on paramedical students with severe exam anxiety found that six online EFT sessions significantly reduced their anxiety levels from severe to moderate, whereas the control group showed no improvement.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, EFT was tested on pediatric emergency department staff, showing remarkable results. A single 10-minute session led to significant reductions in stress, intrusive thoughts, emotional and physical pain, and feelings of pressure and loneliness.
A pilot study on PTSD also demonstrated EFT’s effectiveness. Weekly EFT sessions for five weeks led to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with high compliance rates among participants.
In another study comparing EFT with Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) for processing distressing memories, both methods produced a significant drop in distress levels. A six-month follow-up confirmed that both interventions maintained their effectiveness, suggesting EFT’s long-term impact in reducing emotional distress.
EFT in Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Mental Wellbeing
EFT has also shown promise in maternal health. A study on early pregnancy assessed EFT’s impact on nausea, vomiting severity, and anxiety. Pregnant women who received EFT at antenatal visits and practiced at home reported significantly lower pregnancy-related anxiety and nausea intensity compared to a control group.
In Iran, EFT was tested on women with a prior fear of childbirth. Those who practiced daily EFT for 12 weeks experienced a dramatic decrease in childbirth-related fear, while those in the control group saw their fears increase. Even two weeks postpartum, the EFT group maintained lower fear levels.
Postpartum mental health also benefited from EFT interventions. Mothers experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety attended eight group EFT sessions over four weeks, resulting in statistically significant reductions in depression, stress, and anxiety levels. This suggests EFT’s potential as a postnatal support tool.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EFT Research
With Bond University in Australia completing several EFT studies in 2024—ranging from trials on five-year-olds to vision impairment and forgiveness—the field is set to expand even further. These studies, set for publication in 2025, will add to the growing body of evidence supporting EFT as a scientifically validated method for emotional and physical healing.
The 2024 research highlights reinforce what many EFT practitioners already know—EFT is an invaluable tool for reducing stress, anxiety, and emotional distress across various populations. Whether in hospitals, schools, workplaces, or at home, EFT continues to prove its effectiveness as a holistic, accessible, and empowering practice.