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Tudományos kutatások
EFT- Érzelmi Felszabadïtás Technikája
Featured Research: World First fMRI Study of EFT
Early findings from a world-first study aimed at scientifically proving a simple ‘tapping’ technique have shown the method is effective in reducing food cravings. This is the first time anywhere in the world that Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans (fMRI) have been used to see physical, scientific evidence of exactly how EFT self-help techniques work on these conditions by changing the brain’s neural pathways involved in addiction and food cravings. After 4 weeks (2 hours per week) of EFT Tapping, participants’ brain scans showed a remarkable reduction in activation. The control group who did not receive any EFT did not change. The full paper and scans are available below.
An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom
Techniques
Recommended citation: Stapleton P, Buchan C, Mitchell I, McGrath Y, Gorton P, Carter B. An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine 2019;4(1):14; doi:10.21926/obm.icm.1901010.
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Abstract
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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. Read full article here.
Growth and Acceptance of EFT
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As of 2020: 18 randomised control trials, 50+ randomised control trials, 50+ pre-post outcome studies, 50+ trials in non-English journals
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2014–2016: 2 meta-analyses show energy psychology effective for depression and anxiety
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2017: Meta-analysis shows EFT effective for PTSD
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2019: Meta analysis shows tapping on the acupressure points is an active ingredient in the process (changes not due to the therapeutic relationship, other factors such as deep breathing etc)
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2018-2019: Two studies on DNA changes after EFT First fMRI study on EFT published
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2019: Blue Knot Foundation for (trauma) includes EFT in PTSD clinical guidelines in Australia
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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
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2020: APA journal (USA) published EFT cortisol replication study
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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
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2021: APA approved EFT to be reviewed for trauma and PTSD and inclusion on the evidence based psychological treatments list (Dr Peta is leading this evaluation for the APA)
Peta Stapleton, Ph.D
PSYCH-K®
The Science Behind PSYCH-K®
The following three research papers were published in peer-reviewed publications, based on QEEG/brain mapping research done by Jeffrey L. Fannin, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Cognitive Enhancement, in Glendale, AZ. Rob Williams, Originator of PSYCH-K®, co-authored the papers with Dr. Fannin.
The research clearly demonstrates the value of what the authors call, the Whole-Brain State, and its role in the evolution of human consciousness. The research shows that this bilateral, symmetrical brain wave pattern is created by using PSYCH-K®. Its benefits are enumerated in the research papers themselves. The papers were published in three different publications, spanning three different disciplines, i.e., neuroscience, psychotherapy, and business. The fact that the same research was accepted by such a diverse cross-section of publications is evidence of the widespread applications and implications of PSYCH-K®.
Published in CQ: CAPA Quarterly [Counseling and Psychotherapy Association of New South Wales, August 2012]
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Published in NeuroConnections [Neuroscience Newsletter, Fall 2011]
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Published in the International Journal of Management and Business [August 2012]
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Note: In this paper, the name PER-K® is used instead of PSYCH-K®. PER-K® was the former name of the business version of PSYCH-K®. The belief change processes of both PSYCH-K® and PER-K® are exactly the same, creating the same research outcomes.
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In addition to years of research in the field of what is usually referred to as split-brain research, which began in the late 1950’s, a contemporary study regarding PSYCH-K® specifically, was published in 2011. The study was conducted using contemporary, neuro-scientific protocols. The point of the study was to determine if the Whole-Brain Posture, used extensively in PSYCH-K®, could in fact create the desired bi-lateral, symmetrical, brainwave pattern that is desired for changing subconscious beliefs. In the fall of 2011, the results were published in three peer-reviewed journals, including the fields of neuroscience, psychotherapy, and business management.
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