The Effectiveness of Emotional Freedom Techniques for Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) have gained attention as a potential therapy for reducing depressive symptoms. However, the evidence remains inconsistent. This meta-analysis aims to assess the overall efficacy of EFT in treating depressive symptoms and explore moderators influencing its effectiveness. Methods: A meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted, with depressive symptom reduction as the primary outcome. Meta-regression explored moderators such as the EFT format, duration, age, and depression severity. Results: The analysis showed a significant overall effect size of 1.268 for EFT in reducing depressive symptoms. A moderator analysis revealed that group-based EFT interventions were more effective than individual ones, and participants with moderate depression experienced the greatest benefits. Additionally, shorter interventions were found to be highly effective. Conclusions: EFT effectively reduces depressive symptoms, particularly in group settings and for those with moderate depression. Shorter, well-structured interventions may enhance treatment efficiency. Further studies should explore long-term effects and broader applications.