Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique and Diaphragmatic Breathing on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effect of Emotional Freedom Technique and Diaphragmatic Breathing on PTSD

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00514956
• Other study ID #: PTSD-ACEP-SMI-MU-1
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• First received: August 8, 2007
• Last updated: September 21, 2009
• Start date: September 2007
• Est. completion date: January 2009

Study information

• Verified date: September 2009
• Source: Soul Medicine Institute
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

A great many soldiers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Clinical experience with many people has shown the effectiveness of the techniques of Energy Psychology for rapidly alleviating PTSD symptoms. The study proposes to determine whether a very brief course of treatment (3 sessions) with a common form of Energy Psychology called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) has an effect on the stress biochemistry of subjects, by measuring their levels of stress hormones (cortisol, DHEA) before and after treatment.

Description:

The Purpose of the Research: The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) versus Diaphragmatic Breathing in Reducing Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.

The Scientific or Scholarly Rationale: Clinical experience and anecdotal reports have demonstrated EFT to be effective for a wide range of behavioral disorders, including PTSD. However with the exception of several studies demonstrating the efficacy of EFT for the treatment of simple phobias, there have been no formal research studies in this area. It is the intention of this study to extend the phobia studies to the area of PTSD, and to determine what other conditions EFT might be effective in treating. Another intention of this study is to see whether, and to what degree, changes in psychological functioning (as measure by the PAI and TSI) are reflected in physiological markers such as HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and levels of cortisol and DHEA.

The Procedures to be Performed: Approximately 8 to 10 subjects would be randomly designated to either the experimental or Diaphragmatic Breathing control groups. There will be 4-5 subjects in the EFT experimental group and 4-5 subjects in the control Diaphragmatic Breathing group.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 12
• Est. completion date: January 2009
• Est. primary completion date: January 2009
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 70 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• PTSD

• Recent Service in Afghanistan or Iraq

• Good Health History

Exclusion Criteria:

• Illegal Drug Use

• Recent Physical Trauma

• Head injuries, concussions, amputees

• Mental health issues prior to entering military service

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Marshall University Medical School	Charleston	West Virginia
United States	Marshall University, Joan Edwards School of Medicine	Huntington	West Virginia

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Soul Medicine Institute

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (1)

Church, D., Geronilla, L., & Dinter, I. (2009) Psychological symptom change in veterans after six sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). International Journal of Healing and Caring, January, 9:1.

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in baseline cortisol and DHEA production		Six months	No
Secondary	Changes in scores on Trauma Assessment Inventory and other instruments normed for trauma		Six months	No

External Links

•   Web site to connect veterans to assistance using study protocol, and enrollment option for larger followup study.