EFT for Elderly Populations
This area represents the clinical research on EFT for elderly populations. Where the paper is available free of charge in an open access journal, you can download it and use freely (on website, social media, newsletters). If it is behind a pay wall, you can freely share the abstract and reference but cannot share the full article, due to copyright.
The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Anxiety Depression and Sleep in Older People Living with HIV: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AbstractÂ
Objective:Â To investigate the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on anxiety, depression and sleep in older people living with HIV (PLWH).
Methods: 70 older PLWH experiencing anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders were randomly divided into control and experimental groups using a random number table system (RNT), with 35 participants in each group. The experimental group received Emotional Freedom Techniques once a day for 15–20 min as part of their routine care and health counselling, and the intervention lasted for 2 weeks. The control group received standard nursing care and health guidance. The two groups were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure changes in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality before and after the intervention.
Results: There are totally 67 participants in the trial. In the EFT group (n = 33), PSQI scores decreased from 12.36 ± 2.409 to 9.15 ± 2.476(mean ± SD P < 0.001), HA scores decreased from 12.39 ± 2.344 to 9.12 ± 2.176(mean ± SD P < 0.001), HD scores decreased from 11.58 ± 1.969 to 8.94 ± 2.015 (mean ± SD P < 0.001), compared with no change in the usual care group (n = 34). The EFT group showed significantly lower post-intervention scores than the control group on all scales (P < 0.001), indicating the effectiveness of the intervention.
Conclusion:Â Emotional Freedom Techniques can effectively alleviate anxiety and depression in older PLWH and improve their sleep quality.
Citation (APA Style): Qi, W., Xinyi, Y., Yuhan, W., Wenwen, Y., & Yan, S. (2024). The effect of emotional freedom techniques on anxiety depression and sleep in older people living with HIV: A randomized controlled trial. AIDS Research and Therapy, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-024-00679-4
Direct link:Â https://aidsrestherapy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12981-024-00679-4
Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) vs Sleep Hygiene Education Group Therapy (SHE) in Management of Sleep Disorders Among Elderly
Abstract
Sleep disorders are common among elderly persons, with deleterious effects on their physical and mental health. Many approaches are used to manage such disorders. Objective: To compare the Emotional Freedom Techniques-Insomnia (EFT-I) and Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) group therapy as two treatments for insomnia in a geriatric population when delivered, and their effects on sleep quality, depression, and life satisfaction. This open-label randomized controlled trial study was conducted at El-Abbasia Mental Hospital and Osana family wellness elderly nursing home at Maadi, Cairo. It included 60 elderly patients suffering insomnia sleep problems randomized into two equal groups: one group received a Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) intervention, the other had a form of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) adapted for use with insomnia (EFT-I). A self-administered questionnaire with tools for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), depression, and life satisfaction was used to collect data. The fieldwork was from January to March 2021. The two groups had equal median age (70 years), and almost similar gender and place of residence distribution. After the intervention, 73.3% of the EFT group had good sleep quality, compared to 100% in the SHE group (p=.005); the median score of depression (3.00) was higher in the EFT group compared with 0.00 in the SHE group (p<.001); as for life satisfaction, the difference was not statistically significant. The multivariate analyses identified the study intervention as the main statistically significant negative predictor of PSQI and depression scores, and a positive predictor of life satisfaction. Being in the SHE group was a negative predictor of PSQI and depression scores. Both SHE and EFT approaches are beneficial for elderly patients’ sleep quality, with SHE being more effective in ameliorating sleep. Further replication of this study is needed on a large probability sample from different geographical areas to help for the generalization of the results.
Citation (APA style): Souilm, N., Elsakhy, N. M., Alotaibi, Y. A., & Ali, S. A. O. (2022). Effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) vs sleep hygiene education group therapy (SHE) in management of sleep disorders among elderly. Scientific Reports, 12, 6521. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-10456-wÂ
Potential of Emotional Freedom Techniques to Improve Mood and Quality of Life in Older Adults
Abstract
Emotional freedom techniques (EFTs) are an innovative combined somatic and cognitive therapy. Derived from key principles within traditional Chinese medicine, they incorporate elements of exposure, cognitive and other conventional psychotherapies. Increasing evidence suggests that EFTs are effective in treating various physical and psychological conditions and across several population groups. Studies indicate that the somatic component is essential to its ease of use, rapid effect and durability of results. EFTs can be used as self-help tools or applied therapeutically in groups or individually. There is a lack of research specifically examining its applicability to older adults, but a ground-breaking project with nurses in France suggests that EFTs may offer significant potential to moderate pain and stress levels and to improve mood, interaction and quality of life among this group, including those with multiple and complex comorbidities.
Citation (APA Style): Harbottle, L. (2019). Potential of emotional freedom techniques to improve mood and quality of life in older adults. British Journal of Community Nursing, 24(9), 432–435. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.9.432
Direct link:Â https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.9.432
A Preliminary Study For The Evaluation Of The Effects Of EFT For Insomnia In The Elderly
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EFT-I(EFT program for insomnia) for insomnia in the elderly as a preliminary study.
Methods: This study was a single group pre-post comparative study that involved 10 elderly women(mean age=), who visited a senior welfare center, complained of insomnia symptoms. Subjects received 8 sessions(twice a week for 4 weeks and 1 hour for each session) of EFT-I group training. Insomnia severity, depression, state-anxiety, and life satisfaction of each subject were evaluated twice at pre and post of EFT-I. Korean Sleep Scale, Short form of Geriatric Depression Scale(SGDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI), and life satisfaction scale were used as evaluation tools. The data were analyzed using paired-samples T-test.
Results: Insomnia severity, life satisfaction, depression, and state-anxiety were significantly improved by EFT-I.
Conclusions: Result of this study showed that EFT-I can be a useful treatment program for elderly insomnia. Larger clinical trials are needed to verify effect of EFT-I as a community based insomnia management program for the elderly.
Citation (APA Style): Lee, J-H, Suh, H-U, Chung, S-Y, & Kim, J-W. (2011). A preliminary study for the evaluation of the effects of EFT for insomnia in the elderly. Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry, 22(4), 101-109.
Direct link:Â https://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201110348681118.page
A Comparison Of Emotional Freedom Techniques”“Insomnia (EFT-I) And Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) In A Geriatric Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
This study evaluated two treatments for insomnia, Emotional Freedom Techniques—Insomnia (EFT-I) and Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE), in a geriatric population when delivered as group therapy. Participants (N = 20) were elderly women (mean age = 80 ± 4.75) with insomnia. They were randomized into two groups. One received SHE, and the other a form of EFT adapted for use with insomnia (EFT-I). The setting was a senior welfare center, and the interventions were delivered in a group format. Participants received eight 1-hour sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. They were assessed for insomnia severity, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction before and after treatment. Follow-ups occurred at 5 and 9 weeks posttest. Analysis revealed that EFT was superior to SHE for insomnia. The results were similar to those found in earlier studies evaluating EFT for insomnia. Neither the SHE nor the EFT group demonstrated significant improvement in anxiety or life satisfaction. We conclude that EFT is an effective evidence-based treatment for geriatric insomnia and depression. EFT is cost-effective, and efficacious when delivered in a group format.
Citation (APA Style): Lee, J. H., Chung, S. Y., & Kim, J. W. (2015). A comparison of Emotional Freedom Techniques—Insomnia (EFT-I) and Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE) in a geriatric population: A randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 7(1), 1—8. doi:10.9769/EPJ.2015.07.01.JL
The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques on Sleep Quality, Sleepiness and Quality of Life of Older Adults in Adult Day-Care Center
AbstractÂ
Background:Â Various physical and mental problems and diseases may develop with aging. Poor sleep quality is the third most common major problem in older adults, affecting all aspects of life. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can be used to treat the disease in older adults.
Objectives:Â This interventional study attempted to investigate the effect of EFT on sleep quality, sleepiness, and quality of life of older adults.
Methods:Â This was a quasi-experimental study. The selection of the participants was based on the convenience sampling method. Twenty-one people participated in the study and were divided into two groups of interventions. The study was conducted in the adult day-care center. In one group, 11 people and in the other group, 10 people were included. First, an educational session regarding sleep hygiene was held. Then, the EFT was administered for 4 weeks, 2 sessions per week, and each session lasted for 30 - 45 minutes in the intervention group by the student (first author); sleep hygiene training was also provided for the second group. Study measures included the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the quality-of-life scale. Follow-ups were performed after the intervention and one month later. The statistical tests used were repeated measures and chi-Square tests. A P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Results:Â The trend of changes in sleep quality (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively) and sleepiness (P = 0.023, P = 0.001, respectively) was incremental and significant before and after the intervention and one month later in each of the groups, but results show that there was no significant interaction effect for any subscale, including subjective sleep quality (P = 0.786), sleepiness (P = 0.568), and quality of life (P = 0.289).
Conclusions:Â According to the results, the EFT was effective on sleep quality, sleepiness, and quality of life of older adults in the adult day-care center, and sleep hygiene was influential.
Citation (APA Style): Ghoreishi, S. S., Pourhadi, S., Hosseini, S. R., & Hamidia, A. (2023). The effect of emotional freedom techniques on sleep quality, sleepiness and quality of life of older adults in adult day-care center. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences / Progress in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, 17(4), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs-126985
Emotional Freedom Techniques for Elderly Patients with COVID-19: A Case Series on Clinical Recovery, Frailty, and Inflammatory Biomarkers
Abstract
Background/Objectives:Â Older adults are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 due to immunosenescence and comorbidities, resulting in higher rates of severe illness and mortality. Psychological distress such as anxiety and fatigue further compounds disease burden. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an integrative psychophysiological approach, has shown potential in enhancing psychological resilience and modulating inflammatory responses.
Methods:Â We report a case series of five elderly patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta. Each received standard pharmacological care, including antiviral therapy, corticosteroids, and comorbidity management, alongside daily EFT sessions combining acupressure, affirmations, and exposure techniques. Clinical symptoms, frailty status (via WHAS criteria), WHO Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement (OSCI), and serum IL-6 levels were monitored over a 30-day follow-up period. Emotional well-being was qualitatively assessed through follow-up interviews and therapist observations of patient engagement and affective behavior.
Results: All patients demonstrated substantial clinical improvement. OSCI scores decreased from baseline values of 3–4 to 1 by the final follow-up, representing a 66–75% reduction in clinical severity. Frailty status improved markedly across all cases. IL-6 levels showed an average reduction of approximately 85%, suggesting a clinically meaningful improvement in systemic inflammation. No residual symptoms or adverse events were reported. Patients also demonstrated enhanced emotional well-being and adherence to EFT through digital guidance.
Conclusion:Â EFT may serve as a safe and supportive adjunct therapy in elderly COVID-19 patients, potentially accelerating clinical recovery and reducing inflammation and frailty. Further controlled trials are warranted to evaluate broader applicability in geriatric care.
Citation (APA Style): Kemala Sari, N., Burhan, E., Isbaniah, F., Yennita, D., & Stepvia, S. (2025). Emotional freedom techniques for elderly patients with COVID-19: A case series on clinical recovery, frailty, and inflammatory biomarkers. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627592
Direct link:Â https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627592/fullÂ