Epigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Church, Dawson; Yount, Garret; Rachlin, Kenneth; Fox, Louis; Nelms, Jerrod

doi:10.1177/0890117116661154

Cited by 48 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Performing the EFT technique while vocalising aspects of a targeted problem (the cognitive element) has been hypothesized to decrease hyperarousal in the amygdala (the stress response area of the brain) and hippocampus (the memory area) [30], alter dopamine and serotonin ratios [17], produce connective tissue transmission of piezoelectric signals [31], and increase HPA axis regulation, which among other benefits reduces stress-related cortisol secretion [32]. Recent research in a sample of veterans with PTSD indicated regulation of six genes associated with inflammation and immunity after 10 EFT sessions, with downregulation of inflammation and stress markers and upregulation of immune markers found [33]. However, despite these studies, it has not been unambiguously established how brain activation and neural mechanisms might be affected by EFT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

Stapleton¹,

Buchan²,

Mitchell

et al. 2018

obm icm

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Background: This pilot randomised clinical trial investigated the effect of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on brain activation in response to food craving stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging. EFT is a brief stress reduction technique which involves stating a cognitive statement with stimulation of acupressure points with a tapping technique. Method: Fifteen overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week group EFT treatment or control condition and completed a measure of food craving. Random repeating images of high-calorie food designed to engage parts of the brain were presented during the pre and post fMRI scans. Results:The Group x Time interaction for food cravings were significant for the EFT group when compared to the controls. Participant mean scores decreased by 18% for the EFT group and 5% for the control group. Brain activity was mapped using fMRI measures, and there was relative deactivation in the Superior Temporal Gyrus and lateral orbito-frontal cortex for the EFT treatment group only. The control group however, showed continued activation in these areas. Conclusion: The findings indicated EFT may decrease limbic region brain activity and reduce food related symptoms in overweight/obese individuals. This study also illuminates the neurological mechanisms at work behind the many successful outcome studies of EFT for weight loss. Recommendations for more comprehensive trials are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

Stapleton¹,

Buchan²,

Mitchell

et al. 2018

obm icm

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Waite and Holder (2003) found that tapping on parts of the body other than meridian points also elicited effects similar to those found in previous EFT studies. However, a more recent study found epigenetic changes may serve as the mechanisms by which EFT effectively reduces PTSD symptoms (Church et al, 2018). While more research is needed to extrapolate EFT's treatment effects and the mechanisms by which it alters symptoms, one cogent advantage of EFT is ease of administration.…”

Section: Dance/movement Therapy: Tactile and Non-tactile Other-adminmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body-Centered Interventions for Psychopathological Conditions: A Review

2020

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World-wide, billions of dollars are spent each year on body-centered interventions to alleviate both physical and psychological pathologies. Given the high demand and increasing popularity of body-centered interventions, there is need for a systematic organization of empirical evidence associated with body-centered therapies. This article reviews the psychological effects of body-centered interventions on emotional well-being, including both self and other-administered (receptive) therapies. Theory behind body-centered interventions rely upon the bidirectional communication pathway between the brain and body. We investigated the bidirectional communication pathway between the brain and body by evaluating evidence across multiple body-centered therapies. The research reviewed includes studies that investigate effects of massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, functional relaxation, emotional freedom technique, Rolfing, yoga, tai-chi, and dance/movement therapy on psychological conditions across the lifespan. Results demonstrated that overall, massage therapy, tai-chi, dance/movement therapy, functional relaxation, reflexology, acupuncture and emotional freedom technique seem to alleviate stress, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and facilitate pain reduction. Of these, the most robust evidence available was for massage therapy, indicating it is an effective intervention for numerous age groups and populations. Rolfing and reflexology had the least amount of support, with few studies available that had small sample sizes. Although these conclusions are limited by scarcity of high-quality empirical data and contradictory findings, available evidence indicates that body-centered interventions can be effective in reducing psychopathology and supports the proposed mechanism of the bidirectional pathway between the brain and body: the body holds the potential to influence the mind. Integrating body-centered therapies in both clinical settings and as self-care could lead to better outcomes. Lastly, we propose the first taxonomy of body-centered interventions and empirical evidence of their effectiveness for clinicians and researchers.

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“…Church, Yount et al [22] looked at gene expression correlates of successful EFT treatment of PTSD with Veterans. PTSD symptoms were significantly reduced, (p < 0001) and the differential expression of six genes was noted after 10 sessions of EFT.…”

Section: Research On Eftmentioning

confidence: 99%

World Trade Center: A longitudinal case study for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Emotional Freedom Technique and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Nicosia¹,

Minewiser²,

Freger³

2019

WOR

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BACKGROUND: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have been empirically validated as effective psychotherapeutic interventions for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This single subject design case study is of a survivor of the Twin Towers collapse who was treated for prolonged PTSD complicated by dissociated memories. OBJECTIVE: EMDR and EFT's effectiveness in treating PTSD were evaluated. METHOD: Multiple assessments using Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) and Personality combination with EMDR were conducted. RESULTS: Effects of a single session of EFT assessed immediately after treatment demonstrated an elimination of clinically significant scores on both the TSI and PAI. The participant concluded treatment with nearly complete symptom remediation and a return to work. CONCLUSION: The combination of treatment methods appears to be highly effective and allowed this subject to return to work after many years of disability.

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Epigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract: Study results identify candidate gene expression correlates of successful PTSD treatment, providing guidelines for the design of further studies aimed at exploring the epigenetic effects of EFT.

Cited by 48 publications

References 58 publications

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques

Body-Centered Interventions for Psychopathological Conditions: A Review

World Trade Center: A longitudinal case study for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Emotional Freedom Technique and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

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