Abstract
ContextHwabyung is a psychosomatic disease resulting from the suppression of anger over an extended period. The Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) are meridian-based psychotherapy known to cure many psychosomatic diseases, and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a therapeutic method that relieves physical and psychological tension by repeated tensing and relaxation of the muscles. ObjectIn this study, we compared the effects of EFT and PMR in patients with Hwabyung. Design40 patients were enrolled and randomized to receive 4 weeks of group sessions with either EFT (n = 20) or PMR (n = 20). Evaluations were conducted pre- and post-treatment and at 4-week and 24-week follow-ups after session end. Main Outcome MeasuresThe Hwabyung Scale, Visual Analogue Scale of Hwabyung Symptoms (VAS-HS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) were administered as self-report tools. The analysis excluded 8 patients who never attended treatment and 1 patient meeting the exclusion criteria. ResultEFT (n = 15) and PMR (n = 16) improved Hwabyung symptoms (−13.95% and −11.46%, respectively), state anxiety (−12.57% and −12.64%, respectively), and depression (−32.11% and −18.68%, respectively) (p < 0.05 for all). Trait anger improved in EFT group (−13.4%, p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05) except for trait anger at post-treatment (p = 0.022 for between group). No adverse events were reported during the study.
Published Version
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