Online Delivery of Emotional Freedom Techniques in the Treatment of Food Cravings and Weight Management: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: The combination of dietary restraint and physical exercise as a recommended treatment for weight loss has had limited long-term success. One factor proposed as limiting weight management techniques efficacy is the failure to target psychological processes linked with overeating. Consistent with prior research that has identified the efficacy of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) in reducing food cravings and aiding weight loss, this pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) examined the impact of online delivery of EFT intervention on food cravings and weight management. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to an eight-week online EFT intervention group or waitlist control group. The sample comprised primarily of women (96%) aged between 41 and 60 years. Of the treatment group, 65% consumed their craved foods daily and had an average Body Mass Index in the obese range (33.3). Outcome measures assessed included food cravings, dietary restraint, subjective power of food, weight, somatic (body sensation), anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Portion perfection and Emotional Freedom Techniques to assist bariatric patients post surgery: A randomised control trial

“…Although EFT has been previously shown to be effective when delivered in online programs [41] with long term follow-up [42] , it is also well known that bariatric patients have psychiatric comorbidities post-surgery and the current study only had passive and online therapist guidance and support. The lack of adherence to EFT intervention within the PPBP with EFT group may reflect this and future trials would benefit from comprehensive psychological pre-assessment and preferably in person therapeutic intervention with this population.…”

Neural changes after Emotional Freedom Techniques treatment for chronic pain sufferers

“…The impact of EFT on physical symptoms has been examined in diverse samples, including veterans (Church et al, 2013), hospital patients with tension headaches (Bougea et al, 2013), cancer patients (Baker & Hoffman, 2014), chronic pain (Stapleton et al, 2017), fibromyalgia (Brattberg, 2008), healthcare workers (Church & Brooks, 2010), frozen shoulder (Church & Nelms, 2016), psoriasis (Hodge, 2011), seizure disorders (Swingle, 2010), and traumatic brain injury (Church & Brooks, 2014). The delivery of EFT has also been examined across a range of options outside of in person trials, including online for weight loss (Church et al, 2018), relationship skills training (Church & Clond, 2019), food cravings (Stapleton, et al, 2019a(Stapleton, et al, , 2019b, fibromyalgia (Brattberg, 2008) and via an app for stress and anxiety (Church et al, 2020). All studies indicate effectiveness and longevity for the intervention delivered as such.…”