| Description: |
Introduction: Over 100 studies demonstrate the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an evidence-based therapeutic method. However, most research is on in-person delivery of EFT. Only a few studies examine EFT delivered virtually, and to date no research has provided a direct comparison of group virtual EFT to group in-person delivery. Objectives: Delivery of EFT shifted to online platforms in the wake of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This makes a comparison of virtual delivery to in-person delivery timely. The research question of whether online group delivery is as effective as in-person group delivery is of high clinical relevance, given the increased access and convenience offered by virtual treatment options. Methods: Participants in the online group were a convenience sample of 172 participants drawn from four four-day virtual EFT training sessions. Changes in psychological and physiological symptoms were measured pre, post, and at six-month follow-up using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). The two-item Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL), the Happiness Scale, and the QuickDASH pain scale. These results were then compared to those of a previously published study of in-person group EFT (n = 203) that used an identical training curriculum delivered face-to-face. Due to COVID restrictions, the physiological measures used in the face-to-face delivery could not be replicated in the virtual group. Results: Online group EFT demonstrated significant improvements in PTSD, anxiety, depression, pain, and happiness (all p < 0.001) pre to post EFT. These improvements were maintained at six-month follow-up for PTSD (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.048), pain (p = 0.002), and happiness (p < 0.001). Although there was a reduction in anxiety in the online group at six-month follow-up, this did not reach significance (p = 0.102). When compared to the in-person group (pre-COVID), the percent change in symptoms, while still clinically and statistically significant, was for most ... |