Measuring the Effect of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Treatment for Depression Using a Seed Bioassay: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Bioassays are used to investigate the effect of mechanisms of action, such as human intention and mood, on living organisms. This study examined the effect of depression using a seed bioassay as an objective biomarker.

Design: Sixty Clemson spineless okra seeds were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Group one provided an untreated control. Group two was attached to a clipboard held for 15 minutes by a 42-year-old female patient with major depressive disorder while completing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Group three was held while the BDI was readministered following a 2-hour treatment session using an evidence-based modality, Emotional Freedom Techniques (Clinical EFT). BDI scores improved, going from a pre value of 20 (the clinical cutoff for “moderate” depression) to 3 (“minimal” depression). The three groups of seeds (n = 20 each) were germinated blind. The number of seeds to germinate and produce visible root hairs was assessed by an independent observer at 12-hour intervals across 72 hours.

Results: In the control group, 18 seeds germinated, and of those, four developed visible root hairs. In the pretreatment group, 15 germinated and four evidenced hairs. In the posttreatment group, all but one germinated and 14 developed hairs. Seed germination was greatest in the seeds exposed to the client following EFT treatment and a significant pre/post difference was observed (p= .042). Root hair growth in the posttreatment group was significantly higher than the control (p < .000) and pretreatment group (p < .000).

Conclusion: Seed viability appears sensitive to human mood. Consistent with the published literature, the results suggested that human emotions affect seeds through proximity. Possible mechanisms of action to explain the observed effects may include electromagnetic field fluctuations associated with mood and conventionally measured with fMRI. The findings support the use of simple seed bioassays as objective biomarkers to examine the treatment effects of healing therapies.