EFT Tapping Research; The Science of Tapping
EFT, Energy Psychology and Tapping Studies, Abstracts, Papers, and Articles with Editor’s Note Summaries (by Craig Weiner, DC)
This is one of the most comprehensive collection of EFT/Tapping related published research abstracts and full papers in a single location. It is continually updated. Editor’s notes provided by Craig Weiner, DC, provide a brief synopsis of each paper and further details are best obtained by reading the full paper and if unable to obtain, then to review the paper abstract.
Articles/Papers listed may be found in multiple categories, according to relevant subject headings.
Articles/Papers may be available:
- As a Free Abstract
- As a Free Full Research Paper (Some are downloadable PDFs that require the user to have Adobe Acrobat Reader) or
- Commonly it is required that to obtain the full research paper you need to purchase it via the link to the publisher.
Abstracts/Papers appear in a wide variety of publications, many though not all of which are peer reviewed journals, not all of which can be found on PubMed searches.
Each research paper listed is on this Table of Contents Page with a Description of the Paper and its Citation (title, authors and publication information) with a link to a Unique Study Page.
Each Unique Study Page offers a study Description, Citation, Abstract and Editor’s Summary Notes (Based upon Abstracts or Full Papers (when available to this editor reviewer) and Original Papers when available.
Some full papers/PDFs have been made available as slightly revised editions by the author which may vary from the original journal publication rendition.
Milestones in Worldwide Acceptance of EFT and EFT Published Research
- Nov. 2021 a select committee led by Peta Stapleton, PhD and approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) was created to evaluate EFT by the APA for inclusion on their evidence based psychological treatments website
- 2020 EFT approved under the National Insurance Disability Scheme (NDIS) for therapy in Australia
- 2020 Australian Psychological Society features EFT during National Psychology Week as emerging approach for pain
- 2020 APA journal (USA) published EFT cortisol replication study
- 2020 A major review of psychological treatments for PTSD – Energy psychology (combined somatic/cognitive therapies) was the 2nd most effective at reducing PTSD symptoms at the end of treatment to waitlist (after EMDR which was found to be most effective). Further, energy psychology had the greatest cost savings over no treatment, followed by EMDR, trauma-focused CBT and then other treatments
- 2019 Blue Knot Foundation for (trauma) includes EFT in PTSD clinical guidelines in Australia
- In 2019, EFT was approved for use within the South Korean medical system
- 2018 – N.I.C.E. (UK) acknowledge the body of EFT research, deem it worthy of government funding and in economic modelling indicated it was highly cost effective
- 2018 EFT was approved as “generally safe” by the US Veterans Administration
- 2018 EFT International and ACEP (Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology) made a joint submission of the research evidence for EFT and TFT as treatments for PTSD to NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK. NICE has created a specific category for EFT, TFT and Somatic Experiencing called “CSACTS” (Combined Somatic and Cognitive Therapies) and acknowledged as “worthy of further research”
- In 2017, the U.S. Veterans Administration (V.A.) added EFT to List 2, approving it as a “generally safe therapy”
The effectiveness of emotional freedom technique on menstrual pain and emotional regulation in female students
Citation: Mirhoseyni F, Demehri F, Azizi M. The effectiveness of emotional freedom technique on menstrual pain and emotional regulation in female students. J Child Ment Health. 2024; 11 (3):68-81. Link: https://childmentalhealth.ir/article-1-1418-en.html PDF for Full Paper: https://childmentalhealth.ir/article-1-1418-en.pdf Abstract: Background and Purpose: Emotional freedom technique is a new method based on acupuncture and cognitive therapy that plays…
Emotional Freedom Techniques for Elderly Patients with COVID-19: A Case Series on Clinical Recovery, Frailty, and Inflammatory Biomarkers
Citation: Emotional Freedom Techniques for Elderly Patients with COVID-19: A Case Series on Clinical Recovery, Frailty, and Inflammatory Biomarkers, by Stepvia Stepvia, Dewi Yennita, Fathiyah Isbaniah, Erlina Burhan, Nina Kemala Sari, has now been published in Frontiers in Psychology. Link to full paper: This article is an open-access publication https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627592. Abstract: Background/Objectives: Older adults…
The effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on pain and depression in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial
Citation: Kaplan, M., Çelik, H. The effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on pain and depression in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer 33, 749 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09814-x Abstract Purpose Cancer patients frequently experience both physical and psychological challenges, including chronic pain and depression. While conventional treatments primarily rely on pharmacological interventions,…
Effectiveness of a single emotional freedom techniques session on facilitating forgiveness and mental health: a randomized clinical trial
Citation: Stapleton, P., Le Sech, K., Toussaint, L. L., & Hsieh, H. K. (2025). Effectiveness of a single emotional freedom techniques session on facilitating forgiveness and mental health: a randomized clinical trial. Cogent Psychology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2025.2538740 Abstract: Interpersonal transgressions can cause emotional distress and harm victims’ mental and physical health. This pre-registered clinical trial investigated…
The effect of emotional freedom techniques on anxiety depression and sleep in older people living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial
Citation: Qi W, Xinyi Y, Yuhan W, Wenwen Y, Yan S. The effect of emotional freedom techniques on anxiety depression and sleep in older people living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial. AIDS Res Ther. 2024 Dec 20;21(1):94. doi: 10.1186/s12981-024-00679-4. PMID: 39707382; PMCID: PMC11662501. Link to Access Full Paper: open access https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11662501/ Abstract Objective To investigate…
Does emotional freedom techniques affect premenstrual syndrome? A randomized controlled study
Citation: Özşahi̇n, Zeli̇ha & Güven Santur, Sinem & Karakayalı Ay, Çiğdem & Aksoy Derya, Yeşim. (2025). Does emotional freedom techniques affect premenstrual syndrome? A randomized controlled study. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. n/a-n/a. 10.1002/ijgo.16115. Link to Abstract Only: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387724495_Does_emotional_freedom_techniques_affect_premenstrual_syndrome_A_randomized_controlled_study Objective The study was conducted to determine the effect of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on…
Emotional Freedom Techniques; An Effective And Efficient Tool For Integrative Cancer Care
Emotional Freedom Techniques; An Effective And Efficient Tool For Integrative Cancer Care. by Aga Kehinde and Bettina Falkenberg Original Source Paper: https://www.agakehinde.com/blog-1 Stress, anxiety, and emotional distress are present along the entire cancer care pathway. (Gary et al., 2022) Figure1 These factors impact the efficacy of treatments, patient outcomes, recovery time, and cost of…
The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on depression of postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial
Citation: Mehdipour A, Abedi P, Ansari S, Dastoorpoor M. The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on depression of postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2021 May 19;19(3):737-742. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0245. PMID: 34013673. Link to Pubmed abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34013673/ Abstract Objectives: Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of depression. Depression may negatively affect the…
Everything smells like poo, landfill, and rotten food: A retrospective case report using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for parosmia following COVID-19
Citation: Boath, E., & Philpott, C. (2023). “Everything smells like poo, landfill, and rotten food”: A retrospective case report using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for parosmia following COVID-19. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 15(2), 27–32. Link to Journal Abstract Abstract: Parosmia is a disorder of scent that has affected millions of people worldwide…
Novel ideas: Evaluation of a brief trauma tapping taining and single session application
Citation: Hamne G., Sandstrom, U., Stapleton, P., Novel Ideas: Evaluation of a Brief Trauma Tapping Training and Single Session Application. International Journal of Healing and Caring 2023, 23(3)22-28 September 2023 Volume 23 Number 3. ISSN:1538-1080 https://doi.10.78717/ijhc.202323322 Link to Full Paper: https://ijhc.org/2023/09/01/novel-ideas-evaluation-of-a-brief-trauma-tapping-training-and-single-session-application/ Abstract: A challenge in conflict resolution and peace building efforts for regions affected by war…
Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique Applied to Patients Before Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on Surgical Fear and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Citation:Menevse, S. & Yavla, A. (2023). Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique applied to patients before laparoscopic cholecystectomy on surgical fear and anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 6 October 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2023.07.006 Abstract Purpose No studies have investigated the effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on the surgical fears and anxieties of patients before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This…
Six Sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques Remediate One Veteran’s Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Citation: Minewiser L. Six Sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques Remediate One Veteran’s Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Med Acupunct. 2017 Aug 1;29(4):249-253. doi: 10.1089/acu.2017.1216. PMID: 28874927; PMCID: PMC5576207. Link to Full Paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576207/ Abstract Background: Reports show high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Veterans who served in the Gulf Wars. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)…