Potential of emotional freedom techniques to improve mood and quality of life in older adults

Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) is an innovative combined somatic and cognitive therapy. Derived from key principles within traditional Chinese medicine, they incorporate elements of exposure, cognitive, and other conventional psychotherapies. Increasing evidence suggests that EFT is effective in treating various physical and psychological conditions and across several population groups. Studies indicate that the somatic component is essential to its ease of use, rapid effect, and durability of results. EFT can be used as a self-help tool or applied therapeutically in groups or individually. There is a lack of research specifically examining its applicability to older adults, but a ground-breaking project with nurses in France suggests that EFT may offer significant potential to moderate pain and stress levels and to improve mood, interaction, and quality of life among this group, including those with multiple and complex comorbidities.