Citation (APA style): Minewiser, L. (2017). Six sessions of Emotional Freedom Techniques remediate one veteran’s combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Medical Acupuncture, June, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/acu.2017.1216
Abstract
Background: Reports show high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans who served in the Gulf Wars. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) comprises an evidence-based practice that is highly effective at reducing symptom severity in veterans with PTSD. The case report here is of one of the veterans who participated in a replication study of the first Veteran Stress Research Study conducted by Church et al. Results of that study demonstrated that EFT was highly effective at treating the psychologic symptoms of PTSD. Similar results have been found in the replication study conducted by Geronilla et al.
Case: RM is a young marine reservist who served in Iraq and returned with PTSD. He participated in the Veterans Stress Project replication study wherein he received six sessions of EFT. EFT is explained and a sample treatment session is described. A discussion of some of the changes that have occurred for RM is included.
Results: The patient’s PTSD scores dropped from a high clinical score of 60 before treatment to 40 after six sessions and to a clinical score of 22 at six months’ follow-up. His insomnia, which had been at a clinical level, reduced as did his pain and measures of psychologic distress, as measured in the Symptom Assessment—45 instrument.
Conclusion: Six sessions of EFT reduced PTSD scores dramatically and improved RM’s life. He continues to use EFT to manage any stress in his life.
Keywords: Emotional Freedom Techniques, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, veterans, combat-related PTSD, combat stress
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