[Efficacy and safety of emotional freedom techniques for the treatment of anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorders]

Núñez Iglesias Sara, Paz Valiñas L, Faraldo Vallés MJ, Casal Acción B
Record ID 32018004446
Spanish
Original Title: Eficacia y seguridad de las técnicas de liberación emocional para el tratamiento de ansiedad, depresión y trastorno de estrés postraumático
Authors' objectives: Definition of the technique and clinical indications: Emotional freedom techniques combine psychological techniques, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and somatic stimulation techniques of specific acupuncture points (meridians) through traditional acupressure (tapping) while at the same time mentally activating the relevant psychological problem. This technique has been investigated in different areas of mental health such as depressive symptoms, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Authors' results and conclusions: Quality of the evidence: The studies that have evaluated this technique are of very low quality and none of the results obtained can be certain. Key results: The reported effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques on specific phobic anxiety, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder is very uncertain. The studies on which results are based have many shortcomings, resulting in very low study quality. Final conclusion: There is no reliable evidence to support the efficacy of emotional freedom techniques for the treatment of patients diagnosed with specific phobia, major depressive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://acis.sergas.gal/cartafol/2026_emotional_freedom_tecniques_sum
Year Published: 2026
URL for published report: https://runa.sergas.gal/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.11940/23042/PS_2022_avalia-t_LiberacionEmocional_DEFNIPOENTRAMITE.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Other
Country: Spain
MeSH Terms
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Anxiety
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Depression
  • Depressive Disorder
  • Acupressure
  • Acupuncture Points
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Implosive Therapy
Keywords
  • Emotional regulation
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
Contact
Organisation Name: Scientific Advice Unit, avalia-t; The Galician Health Knowledge Agency (ACIS)
Contact Address: Conselleria de Sanidade, Xunta de Galicia, San Lazaro s/n 15781 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Tel: 34 981 541831; Fax: 34 981 542854;
Contact Name: avalia_t.acis@sergas.es
Contact Email: avalia_t.acis@sergas.es
Copyright: Scientific Advice Unit, Avalia-t; The Galician Health Knowledge Agency (ACIS)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.