Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Wan Ting Chen; Tso Yi Chao; Wei Zhi Huang; Chih Wei Hsu; Ping Tao Tseng; Nian Sheng Tzeng; Hsin An Chang; Chin Bin Yeh; Ju Ping Weng; Ping Hsuan Hsieh; Tien Yu Chen

doi:10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4

Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Wan Ting Chen
, Tso Yi Chao
, Wei Zhi Huang
, Chih Wei Hsu
, Ping Tao Tseng
, Nian Sheng Tzeng
, Hsin An Chang
, Chin Bin Yeh
, Ju Ping Weng
, Ping Hsuan Hsieh^*
, Tien Yu Chen^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Medicine

Triservice General Hospital Taiwan
Prospect Clinic for Otorhinolaryngology & Neurology
National Sun Yat-sen University
Asia University Taiwan
National Defense Medical University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Energy psychology, particularly emotional freedom techniques (EFT), has gained attention as a non-pharmacological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of EFT in alleviating PTSD symptoms. Methods: This meta-analysis follows PRISMA guidelines. We conducted a literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Airiti Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant studies published before December 31, 2024. Results: The meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 621 patients. Our findings showed that EFT significantly improved PTSD symptoms compared to the baseline (standardized mean difference [SMD]: − 0.901; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: − 1.130– − 0.671; Hedge's g: −0.865) and was more effective than the control group (SMD: − 2.106; 95% CI: − 2.759– − 1.452; Hedge's g: −2.062). Furthermore, anxiety (SMD: − 0.591; 95% CI: − 0.726– − 0.456; Hedge's g: −0.567) and depression (SMD: − 0.516; 95% CI: − 0.654– − 0.377; Hedge's g: −0.495) scores decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Notably, these treatment effects were sustained for up to three months for PTSD severity (SMD: − 0.757; 95% CI: − 0.967– − 0.547; Hedge's g: −0.723), anxiety (SMD: − 0.522; 95% CI: − 0.683– − 0.361; Hedge's g: −0.498), and depression (SMD: − 0.420; 95% CI: − 0.542– − 0.298; Hedge's g: −0.402). The subgroup analysis of veterans revealed that EFT effectively reduced PTSD symptoms (SMD: − 1.159; 95% CI: − 1.441– − 0.877; Hedge's g: −1.102), anxiety (SMD: − 0.715; 95% CI: − 0.943– −0.487; Hedge's g: -0.676), and depression (SMD: − 0.627; 95% CI: − 0.803– − 0.451; Hedge's g: −0.597). Conclusions: EFT effectively treated PTSD and reduced comorbid symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Moreover, its therapeutic effect could be applied in veteran populations and sustained for up to three months.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	2027-2037
Number of pages	11
Journal	European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Volume	275
Issue number	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4
State	Published - 10 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Keywords

Anxiety
Depression
Emotional freedom techniques
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Systematic review and meta-analysis

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10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4

Cite this

Chen, W. T., Chao, T. Y., Huang, W. Z., Hsu, C. W., Tseng, P. T., Tzeng, N. S., Chang, H. A., Yeh, C. B., Weng, J. P., Hsieh, P. H., & Chen, T. Y. (2025). Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 275(7), 2027-2037. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4

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title = "Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis",

abstract = "Introduction: Energy psychology, particularly emotional freedom techniques (EFT), has gained attention as a non-pharmacological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of EFT in alleviating PTSD symptoms. Methods: This meta-analysis follows PRISMA guidelines. We conducted a literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Airiti Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant studies published before December 31, 2024. Results: The meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 621 patients. Our findings showed that EFT significantly improved PTSD symptoms compared to the baseline (standardized mean difference [SMD]: − 0.901; 95\% confidence intervals [CI]: − 1.130– − 0.671; Hedge's g: −0.865) and was more effective than the control group (SMD: − 2.106; 95\% CI: − 2.759– − 1.452; Hedge's g: −2.062). Furthermore, anxiety (SMD: − 0.591; 95\% CI: − 0.726– − 0.456; Hedge's g: −0.567) and depression (SMD: − 0.516; 95\% CI: − 0.654– − 0.377; Hedge's g: −0.495) scores decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Notably, these treatment effects were sustained for up to three months for PTSD severity (SMD: − 0.757; 95\% CI: − 0.967– − 0.547; Hedge's g: −0.723), anxiety (SMD: − 0.522; 95\% CI: − 0.683– − 0.361; Hedge's g: −0.498), and depression (SMD: − 0.420; 95\% CI: − 0.542– − 0.298; Hedge's g: −0.402). The subgroup analysis of veterans revealed that EFT effectively reduced PTSD symptoms (SMD: − 1.159; 95\% CI: − 1.441– − 0.877; Hedge's g: −1.102), anxiety (SMD: − 0.715; 95\% CI: − 0.943– −0.487; Hedge's g: -0.676), and depression (SMD: − 0.627; 95\% CI: − 0.803– − 0.451; Hedge's g: −0.597). Conclusions: EFT effectively treated PTSD and reduced comorbid symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Moreover, its therapeutic effect could be applied in veteran populations and sustained for up to three months.",

keywords = "Anxiety, Depression, Emotional freedom techniques, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Systematic review and meta-analysis",

author = "Chen, \{Wan Ting\} and Chao, \{Tso Yi\} and Huang, \{Wei Zhi\} and Hsu, \{Chih Wei\} and Tseng, \{Ping Tao\} and Tzeng, \{Nian Sheng\} and Chang, \{Hsin An\} and Yeh, \{Chin Bin\} and Weng, \{Ju Ping\} and Hsieh, \{Ping Hsuan\} and Chen, \{Tien Yu\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4",

language = "英语",

volume = "275",

pages = "2027--2037",

journal = "European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience",

issn = "0940-1334",

publisher = "Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH",

number = "7",

}

Chen, WT, Chao, TY, Huang, WZ, Hsu, CW, Tseng, PT, Tzeng, NS, Chang, HA, Yeh, CB, Weng, JP, Hsieh, PH & Chen, TY 2025, 'Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, vol. 275, no. 7, pp. 2027-2037. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4

Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. / Chen, Wan Ting; Chao, Tso Yi; Huang, Wei Zhi et al.
In: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Vol. 275, No. 7, 10.2025, p. 2027-2037.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

T2 - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

AU - Chen, Wan Ting

AU - Chao, Tso Yi

AU - Huang, Wei Zhi

AU - Hsu, Chih Wei

AU - Tseng, Ping Tao

AU - Tzeng, Nian Sheng

AU - Chang, Hsin An

AU - Yeh, Chin Bin

AU - Weng, Ju Ping

AU - Hsieh, Ping Hsuan

AU - Chen, Tien Yu

PY - 2025/10

Y1 - 2025/10

N2 - Introduction: Energy psychology, particularly emotional freedom techniques (EFT), has gained attention as a non-pharmacological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of EFT in alleviating PTSD symptoms. Methods: This meta-analysis follows PRISMA guidelines. We conducted a literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Airiti Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant studies published before December 31, 2024. Results: The meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 621 patients. Our findings showed that EFT significantly improved PTSD symptoms compared to the baseline (standardized mean difference [SMD]: − 0.901; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: − 1.130– − 0.671; Hedge's g: −0.865) and was more effective than the control group (SMD: − 2.106; 95% CI: − 2.759– − 1.452; Hedge's g: −2.062). Furthermore, anxiety (SMD: − 0.591; 95% CI: − 0.726– − 0.456; Hedge's g: −0.567) and depression (SMD: − 0.516; 95% CI: − 0.654– − 0.377; Hedge's g: −0.495) scores decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Notably, these treatment effects were sustained for up to three months for PTSD severity (SMD: − 0.757; 95% CI: − 0.967– − 0.547; Hedge's g: −0.723), anxiety (SMD: − 0.522; 95% CI: − 0.683– − 0.361; Hedge's g: −0.498), and depression (SMD: − 0.420; 95% CI: − 0.542– − 0.298; Hedge's g: −0.402). The subgroup analysis of veterans revealed that EFT effectively reduced PTSD symptoms (SMD: − 1.159; 95% CI: − 1.441– − 0.877; Hedge's g: −1.102), anxiety (SMD: − 0.715; 95% CI: − 0.943– −0.487; Hedge's g: -0.676), and depression (SMD: − 0.627; 95% CI: − 0.803– − 0.451; Hedge's g: −0.597). Conclusions: EFT effectively treated PTSD and reduced comorbid symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Moreover, its therapeutic effect could be applied in veteran populations and sustained for up to three months.

AB - Introduction: Energy psychology, particularly emotional freedom techniques (EFT), has gained attention as a non-pharmacological treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of EFT in alleviating PTSD symptoms. Methods: This meta-analysis follows PRISMA guidelines. We conducted a literature search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Airiti Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for relevant studies published before December 31, 2024. Results: The meta-analysis included 13 studies involving 621 patients. Our findings showed that EFT significantly improved PTSD symptoms compared to the baseline (standardized mean difference [SMD]: − 0.901; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: − 1.130– − 0.671; Hedge's g: −0.865) and was more effective than the control group (SMD: − 2.106; 95% CI: − 2.759– − 1.452; Hedge's g: −2.062). Furthermore, anxiety (SMD: − 0.591; 95% CI: − 0.726– − 0.456; Hedge's g: −0.567) and depression (SMD: − 0.516; 95% CI: − 0.654– − 0.377; Hedge's g: −0.495) scores decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Notably, these treatment effects were sustained for up to three months for PTSD severity (SMD: − 0.757; 95% CI: − 0.967– − 0.547; Hedge's g: −0.723), anxiety (SMD: − 0.522; 95% CI: − 0.683– − 0.361; Hedge's g: −0.498), and depression (SMD: − 0.420; 95% CI: − 0.542– − 0.298; Hedge's g: −0.402). The subgroup analysis of veterans revealed that EFT effectively reduced PTSD symptoms (SMD: − 1.159; 95% CI: − 1.441– − 0.877; Hedge's g: −1.102), anxiety (SMD: − 0.715; 95% CI: − 0.943– −0.487; Hedge's g: -0.676), and depression (SMD: − 0.627; 95% CI: − 0.803– − 0.451; Hedge's g: −0.597). Conclusions: EFT effectively treated PTSD and reduced comorbid symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Moreover, its therapeutic effect could be applied in veteran populations and sustained for up to three months.

KW - Anxiety

KW - Depression

KW - Emotional freedom techniques

KW - Posttraumatic stress disorder

KW - Systematic review and meta-analysis

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U2 - 10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4

DO - 10.1007/s00406-025-02000-4

M3 - 文章

AN - SCOPUS:105003838459

SN - 0940-1334

VL - 275

SP - 2027

EP - 2037

JO - European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

JF - European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

IS - 7

ER -

Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques in Alleviating Symptoms Associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

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Keywords

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