How does emotional freedom techniques impact stress hormones in adults

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: stress; Mental Health - Other mental health disorders; Mental Health - Studies of normal psychology, cognitive function and behaviour

• Registration Number: ACTRN12618001272280
• Lead Sponsor: Bond University

Brief Summary

This study examined changes in stress biochemistry and psychological distress symptoms in participants randomly allocated to one of three 60-minute group interventions: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), psychoeducation (PE), and no treatment (NT). This study indicated the EFT group experienced a significant decrease in cortisol (-43.24%) and was significantly different to the PE (-19.67%) and NT groups (-2.14%). Neither the NT nor psychoeducation groups reported any significant change in cortisol to each other, or any change in psychological symptoms, nor did the EFT group result in any change in psychological symptoms. This study was replicating a 2012 study and our findings support the original study indicating EFT to be an efficient and effective brief treatment for reducing the stress hormone cortisol, although reductions in psychological distress symptoms such as anxiety and depression did not mirror their results.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2018-07-27
• Study Completion: 2019-03-15
• Last Update Posted: 15 July 2019

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 90

Inclusion Criteria

Between ages 18- 80 years; both genders

Exclusion Criteria

Participants cannot be taking any of these medications to participate in the aspect of cortisol testing (due to potential effects):

• Antidepressants
• Steroids
• Hormonal medication (eg for Menopause)
• Thyroid medication
• Diabetes medication (including insulin)
• Contraceptives (e.g Pill)
• Be pregnant, undergoing menopause currently or have Cushing’s disease

As per the original study, Subjects will also be excluded if they describe a history of major depressive disorder, PTSD, or chronic diseases characterized by abnormal cortisol levels.
Furthermore, subjects will also be excluded from the final analysis if the therapist conducting the session reports the recall of an emotionally significant trauma during the last 20 minutes of the session. The theoretical basis for this criterion (and included in the original study) is the likelihood that cortisol will rise during and immediately after such recall.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified