The Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on Psychosomatic Health: A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Pilot Study

Abstract

Aim: To investigate whether emotional freedom technique (EFT) can improve emotional and psychosomatic health through clinical trials, and to further explore the relationship between emotional freedom technique and traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: 30 participants with psychosomatic sub-health states and psychosomatic diseases were selected for a randomized controlled study from July to October 2022. A 4-week training regimen based on emotional freedom technique for the treatment group and no intervention for the control group. Both groups filled in the corresponding questionnaires at 3 timepoints. Finally, the score and change of each scale were sorted out and the data were analysed by statistical methods. The relationship and prospect of emotional freedom technique and traditional Chinese medicine were compared and analysed as well. Results: After the training of the Emotional freedom technique, the Fatigue Assessment Inventory, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Self-rating Depression Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale all decreased, and the changes were statistically significant. The results showed statistical differences before and after the training, indicating that the clinical trial effect of EFT was considerable. Conclusions: Emotional freedom technique can improve psychosomatic health. It has an academic correlation with the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, which also proves the correctness of the meridian theory. In today's post-COVID-19 era, the emotional freedom technique, as a convenient, safe and effective method of mental health care, has played a protective role in people's psychological health.