EFT is still in the early stages of development when it comes to research into its effectiveness. This is normal considering that it is still a relatively new technique. even though its foundations are thousands of years old. EFT was developed from acupressure, the research on Acupuncture and acupressure is much more extensive . The list below represent some of the published studies conducted on EFT.

1. The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on Stress Biochemistry: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. Church, D; Yount, G; Brooks, A

This research demonstrated the effectiveness of EFT on Cortisol, the biological marker for stress. Cortisol is often elevated in conditions such as anxiety and depression. An initial assessment using the SA – 45 tool was conducted on a group of 83 non clinical subjects. These subjects were then divided into three groups, one of which received no treatment, one received a singular session of supportive psychotherapy, the third group received a one hour session of EFT. In all cases cortisol levels were record before and after the specific intervention the group was exposed to. Results showed a significant decrease in (self reported) psychological symptoms and cortisol levels in the EFT group. Cortisol levels in the other groups did not show any statistically significant change.

2. Phobias and EFT, Wells, S; Polglase, K, Andrews, H; Carrington, P; and Baker, AH 2003. Published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology

This research was conducted under laboratory conditions. The study involved 35 subjects. These were randomly assigned to either a deep breathing group or an EFT group. The EFT group were given a one hour session of EFT. Statistical analysis concluded that EFT was more effective than deep breathing across the three self reported measures. 6 to 9 months later a follow up with the subjects showed that the EFT group had retained their result or improved further.

3. Effect of the Emotional Freedom Technique on Perceived Stress, Quality of Life, and Cortisol Salivary Levels in Tension-Type Headache Sufferers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This research was conducted with 35 subjects with tension type headaches fitting the criteria set by the International Headache Society guidelines. Subjects were randomly put into two groups, one of which (19 members) was instructed to do EFT twice a day for two month. The other group was the control. One of the areas studied was stress using the Perceived Stress Scale. Further study was done on the salivary cortisol levels as well as the frequency and intensity of the subjects headaches. Stress levels, headache frequency and intensity were reported by the subjects as being significantly reduced. However no change was found in the salivary cortisol levels of the EFT or control group.

4. The Effect of Energy Psychology on Athletic Performance: A Randomized Controlled Blind Trial

This research had two groups, one was given 15 minutes of EFT, the other acted as the control group. Measurements of vertical height jumps and free throws were used to evaluate the results. The conclusions drawn from the measurements were that EFT may improve free flow.

5. Pilot Study of EFT, WHEE and CBT for Treatment of Test Anxiety in University Students

Benor, D J; Ledger, K; Toussaint, L; Hett G; Zaccaro, D, Volume 5, Issue 6 , Pages 338-340 , November 2009

This study was conducted with Canadian students with moderate to severe test anxiety. It was a small scale experiment using 15 subjects in total. These were split into groups of 5. The standardized anxiety measures used included the Test Anxiety Inventory and Hopkins Symptom Checklist-21. Subjects exhibited significant reductions in test anxiety for all three treatments methods, however only  two sessions were used with WHEE and EFT, whilst 5 CBT sessions were required.

6. Psychological Trauma Symptom Improvement in Veterans Using Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Trial – Church, Dawson Ph D, Hawk, Chrystal MEd, et al.

The results of this research support EFT’s efficiency in treating PTSD

7. A Controlled Comparison of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Two Psychological Therapies for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing vs. Emotional Freedom Techniques

This research compared the results achieved by EFT and EMDR in the treatment of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)