Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT): A review of the quality of current outcome studies of Emotional Freedom Technique Using the PEDro scale

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an alternative therapeutic intervention that involves the use of acupressure tapping in combination with cognitive rehearsal. An increasing body of research has been published in recent years regarding EFT as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), reporting consistently positive treatment outcomes. The current study utilized the PEDro scale, a standardized checklist designed to assess key components of study quality, to analyze the existing body of literature with respect to study design quality. Results indicated a general lack of internal validity in many of the current outcome studies on EFT. Studies often lacked sufficient randomization and adequate levels of blinding. A comparative analysis was conducted between studies with higher and lower compliance with PEDro criteria to assess potential differences in reported treatment effects. No apparent differences were observed, with strong treatment outcomes reported across both groups, indicating that robust treatment effects are claimed in both well-designed and poorly designed studies. These findings call into question the reliability of conclusions drawn from the current literature. Recommendations for future research are provided.