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ORIGINAL RESEARCH Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo? (QHUJ\ 3V\FKRORJ\ 1RYHPEHU Is Acupoint Tapping an Active Ingredient or an Inert Placebo in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)? A Randomized Controlled Dismantling Study Louis Fox, Liverpool John Moores University Abstract ()7 RU (PRWLRQDO )UHHGRP 7HFKQLTXHV LV WKH most widely used energy psychology method. ,W FRPELQHV SV\FKRORJLFDO H[SRVXUH ZLWK WKH VWLPXODWLRQ RI DFXSXQFWXUH SRLQWV DFXSRLQWV 7KLV VWXG\ XVHG FRQGLWLRQV²()7 DQG D FRQ- trol group—to assess emotional self-report DQG PLQGIXOQHVV 7KH VDPSOH FRQVLVWHG RI XQGHUJUDGXDWHV VWXG\UHODWHG HPRWLRQV and mindfulness were measured immediately EHIRUH DQG GD\V DIWHU HDFK PLQ LQWHUYHQ- WLRQ ZLWK WKH $FKLHYHPHQW (PRWLRQV 4XHV- WLRQQDLUH DQG 3KLODGHOSKLD 0LQGIXOQHVV 6FDOH 0L[HG DQDO\VLV RI YDULDQFH ZLWK SDLUHGVDPSOH t WHVWV VKRZHG WKDW ()7 SDUWLFLSDQWV H[SHUL- HQFHG VLJQL¿FDQWO\ JUHDWHU LQFUHDVHV LQ HQMR\- PHQW p DQG KRSH p DQG VLJQL¿- FDQWO\ JUHDWHU GHFUHDVHV LQ DQJHU p DQG VKDPH p WKDQ GLG WKH FRQWURO JURXS :KHQ GDWD IURP DOO HPRWLRQGHSHQGHQW YDUL- DEOHV ZHUH JURXSHG WRJHWKHU DQDO\VLV VKRZHG WKDW ()7 SDUWLFLSDQWV H[SHULHQFHG D VLJQL¿- FDQWO\ JUHDWHU LQFUHDVH LQ ³SRVLWLYH HPRWLRQV´ p DQG VLJQL¿FDQWO\ JUHDWHU GHFUHDVH LQ ³QHJDWLYH HPRWLRQV´ p WKDQ GLG WKH FRQ- WURO JURXS 1R VLJQL¿FDQW FKDQJH ZDV IRXQG IRU PLQGIXOQHVV 7DSSLQJ RQ DFXSRLQWV FRPELQHG ZLWK WKH YRFDOL]DWLRQ RI VHOIDI¿UPLQJ VWDWH- PHQWV DSSHDUV WR EH DQ DFWLYH LQJUHGLHQW LQ ()7 UDWKHU WKDQ DQ LQHUW SODFHER 7KH UHVXOWV ZHUH consistent with other published reports demon- VWUDWLQJ ()7V HI¿FDF\ IRU DGGUHVVLQJ SV\FKR- logical conditions in students. Keywords: (PRWLRQDO )UHHGRP 7HFKQLTXHV ()7 DFKLHYHPHQW HPRWLRQV PLQGIXOQHVV XQGHUJUDGXDWHV VWXG\ DQ[LHW\ DFXSRLQW WDSSLQJ Louis Fox %6F LV D SV\FKRORJ\ DQG ELRORJ\ JUDGXDWH RI /LYHUSRRO -RKQ 0RRUHV 8QLYHUVLW\ 8QLWHG .LQJGRP Corre- spondence: /RXLV )R[ 6FKRRO RI 1DWXUDO 6FLHQFHV DQG 3V\FKRO- RJ\ /LYHUSRRO -RKQ 0RRUHV 8QLYHUVLW\ /LYHUSRRO (QJODQG (PDLO ORXLVIR[#JPDLOFRP Acknowledgment: 7KH DXWKRU JUDWHIXOO\ DFNQRZOHGJHV WKH DVVLVWDQFH DQG FRRSHUDWLRQ RI 5XWK )R[ DGYDQFHG ()7 SUDFWLWLRQHU DQG WUDLQHU Disclosures: 7KH DXWKRU GHFODUHV QR FRQÀLFW RI LQWHUHVW 7KLV SURMHFW ZDV DQ XQGHUJUDGXDWH GLVVHUWDWLRQ FRPSOHWHG LQ SDUWLDO IXO¿OOPHQW RI D %DFKHORU RI 6FLHQFH GHJUHH LQ SV\FKRORJ\ DQG ELRORJ\ , Q UHFHQW \HDUV WHFKQLTXHV KDYH HPHUJHG aimed at effecting therapeutic psychologi- cal change in individuals by combining the VWLPXODWLRQ RI DFXSXQFWXUH SRLQWV DFXSRLQWV ZLWK SV\FKRORJLFDO H[SRVXUH 7KH RULJLQ RI VXFK WHFKQLTXHV WUDFHV EDFN WR SV\FKRORJLVW 5RJHU &DOODKDQ¶V IRUPXODWLRQ RI 7KRXJKW )LHOG 7KHUDS\ 7)7 &DOODKDQ &DOODKDQ 7)7 SURWRFRO LQYROYHV UHSHDWHG DSSOLFDWLRQ RI SUHVVXUH ³WDS- SLQJ´ WR D VHW RI DFXSXQFWXUH SRLQWV VSHFL¿F WR D condition while the relevant psychological issue is simultaneously mentally activated. A variation RI &DOODKDQ¶V WHFKQLTXH KDV PRUH UHFHQWO\ EHHQ GHYHORSHG FDOOHG (PRWLRQDO )UHHGRP 7HFKQLTXHV ()7 *DU\ &UDLJ IRUPXODWHG ()7 RQ WKH theory that tapping one universal set of acupoints GXULQJ PHQWDO DFWLYDWLRQ FRXOG \LHOG HTXDOO\ SRVLWLYH HIIHFWV ZLWK DQ\ JLYHQ LVVXH 7HFKQLTXHV such as these have since been referred to under the umbrella term energy psychology (3 *DOOR ²D UHIHUHQFH WR WKH VSHFXODWLRQ RQ WKH mechanisms of EP that has commonly been put IRUZDUG E\ (3 SUDFWLWLRQHUV JLYHQ WKH DEVHQFH of a complete empirically based model of true PHFKDQLVP VHH )HLQVWHLQ IRU D GLVFXVVLRQ RI WKLV WRSLF $ OLWHUDWXUH UHYLHZ RI UHVHDUFK LQWR WKH HI¿- FDF\ RI DFXSRLQW WDSSLQJ WHFKQLTXHV ()7 DQG 7)7 LQ WUHDWLQJ SV\FKRORJLFDO GLVRUGHUV IRXQG SHHUUHYLHZHG VWXGLHV )HLQVWHLQ D 2I WKHVH ZHUH UDQGRPL]HG FRQWUROOHG WULDOV 5&7¶V 7KHVH 5&7¶V KDYH SURYLGHG VXSSRUWLQJ HYLGHQFH IRU WKH HI¿FDF\ RI WKHVH WHFKQLTXHV LQ WUHDWLQJ SV\- FKRORJLFDO SK\VLRORJLFDO DQG SK\VLFDO V\PSWRPV

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Page 1: Energy Psychology Journal - Is Acupoint Tapping an Active …energypsychologyjournal.org › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 02 › ... · 2017-06-22 · Is Acupoint Tapping an

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo? (QHUJ\�3V\FKRORJ\�������1RYHPEHU����� ��

Is Acupoint Tapping an Active Ingredient or an Inert Placebo in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)? A Randomized Controlled Dismantling StudyLouis Fox, Liverpool John Moores University

Abstract()7�RU�(PRWLRQDO�)UHHGRP�7HFKQLTXHV� LV� WKH�most widely used energy psychology method. ,W� FRPELQHV� SV\FKRORJLFDO� H[SRVXUH� ZLWK� WKH�VWLPXODWLRQ� RI� DFXSXQFWXUH� SRLQWV� �DFXSRLQWV���7KLV�VWXG\�XVHG���FRQGLWLRQV²()7�DQG�D�FRQ-trol group—to assess emotional self-report DQG� PLQGIXOQHVV�� 7KH� VDPSOH� FRQVLVWHG� RI���� XQGHUJUDGXDWHV�� �� VWXG\�UHODWHG� HPRWLRQV�and mindfulness were measured immediately EHIRUH�DQG���GD\V�DIWHU�HDFK����PLQ� LQWHUYHQ-WLRQ� ZLWK� WKH� $FKLHYHPHQW� (PRWLRQV� 4XHV-WLRQQDLUH� DQG�3KLODGHOSKLD�0LQGIXOQHVV� 6FDOH��0L[HG�DQDO\VLV�RI�YDULDQFH�ZLWK�SDLUHG�VDPSOH t WHVWV� VKRZHG� WKDW� ()7� SDUWLFLSDQWV� H[SHUL-HQFHG� VLJQL¿FDQWO\� JUHDWHU� LQFUHDVHV� LQ� HQMR\-PHQW��p ��������DQG�KRSH��p �������DQG�VLJQL¿-FDQWO\�JUHDWHU��GHFUHDVHV�LQ�DQJHU��p �������DQG�VKDPH� �p �� ����� WKDQ� GLG� WKH� FRQWURO� JURXS��

:KHQ� GDWD� IURP� DOO� HPRWLRQ�GHSHQGHQW� YDUL-DEOHV�ZHUH� JURXSHG� WRJHWKHU�� DQDO\VLV� VKRZHG�WKDW� ()7� SDUWLFLSDQWV� H[SHULHQFHG� D� VLJQL¿-FDQWO\� JUHDWHU� LQFUHDVH� LQ� ³SRVLWLYH� HPRWLRQV´��p �� ����� DQG� VLJQL¿FDQWO\�JUHDWHU�GHFUHDVH� LQ�³QHJDWLYH��HPRWLRQV´��p �������WKDQ�GLG�WKH�FRQ-WURO�JURXS��1R�VLJQL¿FDQW�FKDQJH�ZDV�IRXQG�IRU�PLQGIXOQHVV�� �7DSSLQJ� RQ� DFXSRLQWV�� FRPELQHG�ZLWK� WKH� YRFDOL]DWLRQ� RI� VHOI�DI¿UPLQJ� VWDWH-PHQWV��DSSHDUV�WR�EH�DQ�DFWLYH�LQJUHGLHQW�LQ�()7�UDWKHU� WKDQ� DQ� LQHUW� SODFHER��7KH� UHVXOWV�ZHUH�consistent with other published reports demon-VWUDWLQJ� ()7V� �HI¿FDF\� IRU� DGGUHVVLQJ� SV\FKR-logical conditions in students.

Keywords:� (PRWLRQDO� )UHHGRP� 7HFKQLTXHV��()7�� DFKLHYHPHQW� HPRWLRQV�� PLQGIXOQHVV���XQGHUJUDGXDWHV��VWXG\�DQ[LHW\��DFXSRLQW�WDSSLQJ

Louis Fox�� %6F�� LV� D� SV\FKRORJ\� DQG� ELRORJ\� JUDGXDWH� RI��/LYHUSRRO� -RKQ�0RRUHV�8QLYHUVLW\��8QLWHG�.LQJGRP��Corre-spondence:�/RXLV�)R[��6FKRRO�RI�1DWXUDO�6FLHQFHV�DQG�3V\FKRO-RJ\�� /LYHUSRRO� -RKQ�0RRUHV� 8QLYHUVLW\�� /LYHUSRRO�� (QJODQG��(PDLO��ORXLVIR[��#JPDLO�FRP��Acknowledgment:�7KH�DXWKRU�JUDWHIXOO\� DFNQRZOHGJHV� WKH� DVVLVWDQFH� DQG� FR�RSHUDWLRQ� RI�5XWK�)R[��DGYDQFHG�()7�SUDFWLWLRQHU�DQG�WUDLQHU��Disclosures: 7KH�DXWKRU�GHFODUHV�QR�FRQÀLFW�RI�LQWHUHVW��7KLV�SURMHFW�ZDV�DQ�XQGHUJUDGXDWH�GLVVHUWDWLRQ�FRPSOHWHG�LQ�SDUWLDO�IXO¿OOPHQW�RI�D�%DFKHORU�RI�6FLHQFH�GHJUHH�LQ��SV\FKRORJ\�DQG�ELRORJ\�

,Q� UHFHQW� \HDUV� WHFKQLTXHV� KDYH� HPHUJHG�aimed at effecting therapeutic psychologi-cal change in individuals by combining the

VWLPXODWLRQ� RI� DFXSXQFWXUH� SRLQWV� �DFXSRLQWV��ZLWK�SV\FKRORJLFDO�H[SRVXUH��7KH�RULJLQ�RI�VXFK�WHFKQLTXHV� WUDFHV� EDFN� WR� SV\FKRORJLVW� 5RJHU��&DOODKDQ¶V�IRUPXODWLRQ�RI�7KRXJKW�)LHOG�7KHUDS\��7)7���&DOODKDQ��&DOODKDQ���������7)7�SURWRFRO�LQYROYHV� UHSHDWHG� DSSOLFDWLRQ� RI� SUHVVXUH� �³WDS-SLQJ´��WR�D�VHW�RI�DFXSXQFWXUH�SRLQWV�VSHFL¿F�WR�D�condition while the relevant psychological issue is simultaneously mentally activated. A variation

RI� &DOODKDQ¶V� �WHFKQLTXH� KDV�PRUH� UHFHQWO\� EHHQ�GHYHORSHG�FDOOHG�(PRWLRQDO�)UHHGRP�7HFKQLTXHV��()7���*DU\�&UDLJ��������IRUPXODWHG�()7�RQ�WKH�theory that tapping one universal set of acupoints GXULQJ� PHQWDO� DFWLYDWLRQ� FRXOG� \LHOG� HTXDOO\�SRVLWLYH�HIIHFWV�ZLWK�DQ\�JLYHQ�LVVXH��7HFKQLTXHV�such as these have since been referred to under the umbrella term energy psychology��(3��*DOOR�������²D� UHIHUHQFH� WR� WKH� VSHFXODWLRQ� RQ� WKH�mechanisms of EP that has commonly been put IRUZDUG� E\� (3� SUDFWLWLRQHUV�� JLYHQ� WKH� DEVHQFH�of a complete empirically based model of true PHFKDQLVP��VHH�)HLQVWHLQ��������IRU�D�GLVFXVVLRQ�RI�WKLV�WRSLF��

$� OLWHUDWXUH� UHYLHZ�RI� UHVHDUFK� LQWR� WKH� HI¿-FDF\� RI� DFXSRLQW� WDSSLQJ� WHFKQLTXHV� �()7� DQG�7)7��LQ�WUHDWLQJ�SV\FKRORJLFDO�GLVRUGHUV�IRXQG����SHHU�UHYLHZHG�VWXGLHV��)HLQVWHLQ������D���2I�WKHVH����� ZHUH� UDQGRPL]HG� FRQWUROOHG� WULDOV� �5&7¶V���7KHVH�5&7¶V�KDYH�SURYLGHG�VXSSRUWLQJ�HYLGHQFH�IRU�WKH�HI¿FDF\�RI�WKHVH�WHFKQLTXHV�LQ�WUHDWLQJ�SV\-FKRORJLFDO��SK\VLRORJLFDO��DQG��SK\VLFDO�V\PSWRPV�

Page 2: Energy Psychology Journal - Is Acupoint Tapping an Active …energypsychologyjournal.org › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 02 › ... · 2017-06-22 · Is Acupoint Tapping an

Energy Psychology ������1RYHPEHU����� Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo?��

DVVRFLDWHG�ZLWK��¿EURP\DOJLD��GHSUHVVLRQ��VSHFL¿F�SKRELDV�� SRVWWUDXPDWLF� VWUHVV� GLVRUGHU� �376'���JHQHUDOL]HG� VWUHVV�� SXEOLF� VSHDNLQJ� DQ[LHW\���JHQHUDOL]HG� DQ[LHW\�� DWKOHWLF� SHUIRUPDQFH�� IRRG�FUDYLQJV��DQG�WHVW�DQ[LHW\��:KHUH�IROORZ�XS�REVHU-YDWLRQV� KDYH� EHHQ� FRQGXFWHG�� UHVHDUFKHUV� KDYH�found that gains from these interventions often SHUVLVW�IRU�WLPH�SHULRGV�UDQJLQJ�IURP���PRQWK�WR����PRQWKV��6RPH�RI�WKH�VWXGLHV�KDYH�UHSRUWHG�SDU-ticipants receiving substantial amounts of gain in YHU\�IHZ�WUHDWPHQW�VHVVLRQV��VRPHWLPHV�LQ�D�VLQJOH�VHVVLRQ� �H�J���&KXUFK��3LxD��5HDWHJXL���%URRNV��������6DNDL��&RQQROO\���2DV���������7KH�DFFX-PXODWLQJ�TXDQWLW\�RI�VWDWLVWLFDOO\�VLJQL¿FDQW�UHVXOWV�RQ�WKH�HI¿FDF\�RI�DFXSRLQW�WDSSLQJ²LQFOXGLQJ�LWV�VHHPLQJO\� SRWHQW� HIIHFW� RQ� 376'� LQ� SDUWLFXODU��&KXUFK�HW�DO���������)HLQVWHLQ�������²KDV�GUDZQ�the attention of many psychological research-HUV�RYHU� WKH�SDVW�GHFDGH��DQG� LW�DSSHDUV� WKDW� WKLV�area of research is just beginning to mature. Vari-ous universities and research institutions have QRZ�IXQGHG�PDQ\�VWXGLHV�RQ�WKLV�WRSLF��DQG�()7�has for several psychological conditions met the FULWHULD� UHTXLUHG� E\� WKH�$PHULFDQ� 3V\FKRORJLFDO��$VVRFLDWLRQ¶V�'LYLVLRQ����7DVN�)RUFH�RQ�(PSLUL-FDOO\�9DOLGDWHG�7KHUDSLHV�IRU�DQ�³HYLGHQFH�EDVHG´�SUDFWLFH� �&KXUFK�� �������0RVW� VWXGLHV�� KRZHYHU��are still being performed by proponents of EP WHFKQLTXHV��DQG� WKXV�GR�QRW�DOOHYLDWH� WKH�FRQWHQ-WLRQ� DQG� VXEVHTXHQW� UHVLVWDQFH� IURP� WKH� PDLQ-VWUHDP�VFLHQWL¿F�FRPPXQLW\� WKDW�KDV� VXUURXQGHG�EP since its conception.

7KH� FRQWURYHUV\� VXUURXQGLQJ� (3� WHFKQLTXHV�appears to be due mainly to an incomplete theo-UHWLFDO�PRGHO�RI�WKHLU�PHFKDQLVP��FRPELQHG�ZLWK�UHSRUWV�RI� VHHPLQJO\� LPSODXVLEOH� VSHHG� DQG�HI¿-FDF\�RI� WUHDWPHQW�� ,W� KDV� EHHQ� FODLPHG� WKDW� FRQ-WURYHUV\�KDV�EHHQ�H[DFHUEDWHG�E\�D�SDUDGLJPDWLF�FODVK� ZLWKLQ� WKH� :HVWHUQ� VFLHQWL¿F� FRPPXQLW\��)HLQVWHLQ���������7KHUH�KDYH�DOVR�EHHQ�DUJXPHQWV�FRQWHVWLQJ� WKH� UHDOLW\� RI� WKH� SKHQRPHQRQ�� PRVW�QRWDEO\��FLWLQJ�SDUDOOHOV�ZLWKLQ�WKH�WHFKQLTXHV�ZLWK�established cognitive and behavioral treatments �0F&DVOLQ�� ������ DQG� UHVHDUFKHU� ELDV� �3LJQRWWL��7K\HU�� �������$OWKRXJK� WKHVH� DUJXPHQWV� KDYH�DSSHDUHG� LQFUHDVLQJO\� OHVV� VLJQL¿FDQW� LQ� UHFHQW�\HDUV��JLYHQ�WKH�VKHHU�ZHLJKW�RI�HYLGHQFH�VXSSRUW-LQJ�WKH�HI¿FDF\�RI�WKH�WUHDWPHQW��WKH\�DUH�SHUWLQHQW�and are addressed by the present study.

Although the mechanisms by which acupoint WDSSLQJ�WHFKQLTXHV�H[HUW�D�WKHUDSHXWLF�HIIHFW�SV\-FKRORJLFDOO\�KDYH�QRW�EHHQ�FRPSOHWHO\��GHOLQHDWHG��

there have been reports of direct empirical evidence of effects on the brain and autonomic QHUYRXV� V\VWHP�� 6ZLQJOH�� 3XORV�� DQG� 6ZLQJOH��������XWLOL]HG�T((*�PHDVXUHV�WR�UHSRUW�WKDW�SDU-ticipants self-reporting improvement following ()7�WUHDWPHQWV�IRU�376'�V\PSWRPV�DOVR�VKRZHG�increased amplitude of theta brainwaves in the RFFLSXW� DQG� VHQVRU\�PRWRU� FRUWH[�� DV�ZHOO� DV� DQ�DOWHUHG�UDWLR�RI�WKHWD�EHWD�EUDLQZDYHV�LQ�WKH�IURQ-WDO�FRUWH[��LQGLFDWLQJ�PRUH�IURQWDO�OREH�V\PPHWU\��7KHVH� SURFHVVHV� GHVFULEHG� KDYH� EHHQ� DVVRFLDWHG�ZLWK�WKH�UHOLHI�RI�GHSUHVVHG�PRRG�VWDWHV��+HQULTXHV�� 'DYLGVRQ�� ������ DQG� HIIHFWLYH� WUHDWPHQWV� IRU�VWUHVV�UHODWHG� FRQGLWLRQV� �*UHHQ��*UHHQ�� ������DQG� HSLOHSV\� �6WHUPDQ�� ������ 6ZLQJOH�� �������/DPEURX�� 3UDWW�� DQG� &KHYDOLHU� ������� UHSRUWHG�VLPLODU�((*�GDWD�DQG�DOVR�IRXQG�()7�WR�LQFUHDVH�WKHWD� EUDLQ� ZDYH� DFWLYLW\�� )XUWKHUPRUH�� 'LHSROG�DQG�*ROGVWHLQ� ������� FRQGXFWHG� D� VLQJOH�VXEMHFW�FDVH�VWXG\²DOVR�XVLQJ�T((*²RQ�D�ZRPDQ�VXI-IHULQJ�ÀDVKEDFNV�RI�SULRU�DEXVH��$IWHU�VKH�SDUWLFL-SDWHG�LQ�D�VLQJOH�VHVVLRQ�RI�7)7��KHU�EUDLQ�ZDYHV��which had shown statistical abnormality before WKH�VHVVLRQ�ZKLOH�VKH�UHFDOOHG�WUDXPDWLF�PHPRULHV��appeared to be statistically normal during recall. A posttreatment trend toward an increase in delta DQG�WKHWD�EUDLQ�ZDYHV��DQG�GHFUHDVH�LQ�DOSKD�DQG�EHWD��ZDV� DOVR�REVHUYHG��7KLV� WUHQG� UHYHUVHG� WKH�SUHWUHDWPHQW� UHSRUW�� ,Q� DGGLWLRQ�� WKH� VXEMHFW�ZDV�REVHUYHG� WR� EH� PRUH� UHOD[HG� GXULQJ� WUDXPDWLF�PHPRU\�UHFDOO��DQG�DW����PRQWK�IROORZ�XS�LQTXLU\�UHSRUWHG�KDYLQJ�EHHQ�HQWLUHO\�IUHH�RI�ÀDVKEDFNV�RU�emotional distress relating to her abuse since her WUHDWPHQW��5HJDUGLQJ�WKH�SK\VLRORJLFDO�HIIHFWV�RI�()7�� DQ�5&7� FRQGXFWHG� E\�&KXUFK��<RXQW�� DQG�%URRNV� ������� IRXQG� D� VLQJOH� KRXU�ORQJ� VHVVLRQ�()7�WR�UHGXFH�VDOLYDU\�FRUWLVRO�PHDVXUHV�VLJQL¿-cantly more than did supportive interviews or a no WUHDWPHQW�JURXS��7KH� HIIHFW� RI�(3� WHFKQLTXHV�RQ�RWKHU�NQRZQ�SK\VLRORJLFDO�FRUUHODWHV�RI�WKHVH�SUR-cesses has yet to be investigated.

2WKHU� VWXGLHV� KDYH� SURYLGHG� PRUH� LQGLUHFW�insights into potential mechanisms. A series of I05,�VWXGLHV�DW�+DUYDUG�KDYH�VKRZQ�DFXSXQFWXUH�QHHGOLQJ�WR�SURGXFH�H[WHQVLYH�GHDFWLYDWLRQ�LQ�WKH�amygdala and other areas of the limbic system �'KRQG��.HWWQHU���1DSDGRZ��������)DQJ�HW�DO��������� +XL� HW� DO��� ������ ������� $� GRXEOH�EOLQG�crossover study has also shown needling to be no more effective than tapping in promoting analge-VLD� �7DNDNXUD��<DMLPD�� ������� VLPLODU� ¿QGLQJV�ZHUH�SURGXFHG�E\�&KHUNLQ�HW�DO����������KRZHYHU��

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Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo? (QHUJ\�3V\FKRORJ\�������1RYHPEHU����� ��

in this study it was unclear whether results were indicative of a placebo effect.

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%DNHU�DQG�6LHJHO� �������FRQGXFWHG�D�SDUWLDO�UHSOLFDWLRQ� RI�:HOOV� HW� DO�� �������� \LHOGLQJ� VLPL-ODU� ¿QGLQJV� WR�:HOOV� ZKHQ� FRPSDULQJ� ()7� WR� D�VXSSRUWLYH�LQWHUYLHZ��7KH\�VXJJHVWHG�WKDW�IXUWKHU�UHVHDUFK� VKRXOG� H[DPLQH� WKH� EUHDGWK� RI� SV\FKR-ORJLFDO� LVVXHV� WKDW� ()7� LV� HIIHFWLYH� DW� WUHDWLQJ�DQG� WKH� PHFKDQLVPV� E\� ZKLFK� ()7� SURPRWHV�SV\FKRORJLFDO�ZHOOEHLQJ��7KH�SUHVHQW�VWXG\�DLPV�WR� DGGUHVV� WKHVH� VXJJHVWLRQV�� ,Q� FRQVWUXFWLQJ� LWV�GHVLJQ�� ,� FRQVLGHUHG� D� ³GLVPDQWOLQJ´� GHVLJQ� WKDW�separated the self-acceptance statement and acu-SRLQW�WDSSLQJ��DV�VXJJHVWHG�E\�ERWK�:HOOV�HW�DO��DQG�

0F&DVOLQ���������+RZHYHU�� WKH�()7�SUDFWLWLRQHU�involved with this research was uncomfortable with such methodology because of concerns about the emotional wellbeing of control participants. 7KLV��FRPELQHG�ZLWK�SUDFWLFDO�LVVXHV�UHJDUGLQJ�WKH�construction of a structured and coherent control FRQGLWLRQ�WR�PLUURU�WKH�()7�FRQGLWLRQ��PHDQW�WKDW�WKLV� VWXG\�XVHG� D�GHVLJQ� VLPLODU� WR�:HOOV� HW� DO�¶V�in the sense that acupoint tapping and the self-acceptance statements were isolated together ZLWKLQ�D�VLQJOH�FRQGLWLRQ��2EVHUYDWLRQV�VSDQQLQJ�long periods of time were beyond the scope of this GLVVHUWDWLRQ�SURMHFW��VR�,�PHDVXUHG�GHSHQGHQW�YDUL-DEOHV� ��ZHHN� DIWHU� WKH� LQWHUYHQWLRQ� WR� HPXODWH� D�IROORZ�XS� REVHUYDWLRQ� DQG� WR� PLQLPL]H� GHPDQG�FKDUDFWHULVWLFV� DQG� H[SHFWDQF\� HIIHFWV� WKDW�PLJKW�EH�H[SHFWHG�LPPHGLDWHO\�SRVWWUHDWPHQW�

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Energy Psychology ������1RYHPEHU����� Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo?��

HPRWLRQV��DQG��DFKLHYHPHQW��HPRWLRQV�ZHUH�IRXQG�WR� SUHGLFW� �SHUIRUPDQFH� DWWDLQPHQW��6HYHQ�RI� WKH�HLJKW� DFKLHYHPHQW� HPRWLRQV� VWXGLHG� �H[FOXG-LQJ� HQMR\PHQW�� ZHUH� IRXQG� WR� PHGLDWH� WKH� relationship between achievement goals and per-IRUPDQFH� DWWDLQPHQW�� 7KHVH� ¿QGLQJV� KDYH� EHHQ�FRUURERUDWHG� E\� UHVHDUFKHUV� VXFK� DV� 'HWWPHUV�HW�DO����������ZKR�IRXQG�XQSOHDVDQW�HPRWLRQV�GXU-LQJ� KRPHZRUN� �PHDVXUHG� XVLQJ� WKH�$(4�� WR� EH�QHJDWLYHO\� UHODWHG� WR� KRPHZRUN� HIIRUW� DQG� DOVR�to negatively predict later achievement. As noted E\� 2S¶W� (\QGH� DQG� 7XUQHU� �������� HPRWLRQV� LQ� general would appear to be “an integral part of learning in close interaction with conative and FRJQLWLYH�SURFHVVHV´��S�������

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Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo? (QHUJ\�3V\FKRORJ\�������1RYHPEHU����� ��

WKH��SRWHQWLDO�UROH�RI�PLQGIXOQHVV�ZLWKLQ�WKH�()7�SURFHVV��$IWHU��HYDOXDWLQJ�WKH��OLWHUDWXUH��,�K\SRWK-HVL]HG�WKDW�()7�JURXS�SDUWLFLSDQWV�ZRXOG�H[SH-ULHQFH�VLJQL¿FDQWO\�JUHDWHU�GHFUHDVH�LQ�QHJDWLYH�HPRWLRQV�UHODWHG�WR�VWXG\LQJ�WKDQ�FRQWUROV��+����()7� JURXS� SDUWLFLSDQWV� ZRXOG� H[SHULHQFH� VLJ-QL¿FDQWO\� JUHDWHU� LQFUHDVH� LQ� SRVLWLYH� HPRWLRQV�UHODWHG�WR�VWXG\LQJ�WKDQ�FRQWUROV��+����DQG�PLQG-fulness would moderate or mediate any observed HIIHFWV�RI�()7��+���

MethodParticipants

7KH� VWXG\� XWLOL]HG� DQ� RSSRUWXQLW\� VDPSOH�of second- or third-year undergraduate students �n �������PHQ�����ZRPHQ��PHDQ�M� �������\HDUV��DW�/LYHUSRRO�-RKQ�0RRUHV�8QLYHUVLW\��3DUWLFLSDQWV�ZHUH� DSSURDFKHG� YLD� H�PDLO�� WH[W� PHVVDJLQJ�� RU�ZRUG�RI�PRXWK��6RPH�SDUWLFLSDQWV�ZHUH�NQRZQ�WR�the researcher.

Measures7KH� EHWZHHQ�SDUWLFLSDQWV� YDULDEOH� FRQVLVWHG�

RI� WZR� FRQGLWLRQV�� ()7� JURXS� �n � ���� �� PHQ���� ZRPHQ�� M� � ����� \HDUV�� DQG� FRQWURO� JURXS��n �������PHQ����ZRPHQ��M� ������\HDUV���3DU-ticipants were randomly assigned to groups via FRLQ� WRVV²RQFH� RQH� JURXS� TXRWD� RI� ��� SDUWLFL-SDQWV�KDG�EHHQ�¿OOHG��UHPDLQLQJ�SDUWLFLSDQWV�ZHUH�DVVLJQHG�WR�WKH�RWKHU�JURXS��'HSHQGHQW�YDULDEOHV�were measured immediately before the interven-WLRQ��7���DQG���GD\V�DIWHU�WKH�LQWHUYHQWLRQ��7����7R�PLQLPL]H� WKH� SRWHQWLDO� LQÀXHQFH� RI� H[SHFWDQF\�RU�GHPDQG�FKDUDFWHULVWLFV�HIIHFWV�RQ�SDUWLFLSDQWV¶�XOWLPDWH�RXWFRPHV��,�GLG�QRW�WDNH�PHDVXUHV�LPPH-GLDWHO\�IROORZLQJ�WKH�LQWHUYHQWLRQ��7KHUH�ZHUH�QLQH�GHSHQGHQW� YDULDEOHV²VWXG\�UHODWHG� HQMR\PHQW��KRSH��SULGH��DQJHU��DQ[LHW\��VKDPH��KRSHOHVVQHVV��DQG�ERUHGRP��DV�ZHOO�DV�PLQGIXOQHVV�

Emotions related to studying were measured XVLQJ� WKH� $FKLHYHPHQW� (PRWLRQV� 4XHVWLRQQDLUH��$(4�� 3HNUXQ� HW� DO��� ������� )RU� WKLV� VWXG\�� WKH�&ODVV�5HODWHG� DQG� ([DP�5HODWHG� (PRWLRQV� VHF-WLRQV� ZHUH� GLVFDUGHG�� 7KH� 6WXG\�5HODWHG� (PR-WLRQV� VHFWLRQ� RI� WKH� VFDOH� ���� LWHPV�� PHDVXUHV�HQMR\PHQW�� KRSH�� SULGH�� DQJHU�� DQ[LHW\�� VKDPH��KRSHOHVVQHVV�� DQG� ERUHGRP�� 7KH� VXEVFDOHV� DUH�LQWHUQDOO\� FRQVLVWHQW� �ĮV� � ���±������ FRQ¿UPD-WRU\� IDFWRU� DQDO\VLV� VKRZV� WKHP� LQWHUQDOO\�YDOLG��DQG�WKHLU�H[WHUQDO�YDOLGLW\�KDV�EHHQ�GHPRQVWUDWHG�

in terms of relationships with student control-YDOXH� DSSUDLVDOV� �3HNUXQ�� ������� OHDUQLQJ�� DQG��SHUIRUPDQFH��3HNUXQ�HW�DO����������7KLV�VHFWLRQ�RI�WKH�TXHVWLRQQDLUH�LV�GLYLGHG�LQWR�WKUHH��VXEVHFWLRQV��KRZ�RQH�W\SLFDOO\�IHHOV�EHIRUH�VWXG\��GXULQJ�VWXG\��DQG� DIWHU� VWXG\��:LWKLQ� WKHVH� VHFWLRQV�� DOO� LWHPV�ZHUH� VKXIÀHG� VR� WKDW� LWHPV�DERXW�GLIIHUHQW� HPR-WLRQV� ZHUH� PL[HG� WRJHWKHU�� 5HVSRQVHV� WR� VWDWH-PHQWV�ZHUH�UHFRUGHG�XVLQJ�D���SRLQW�/LNHUW�VFDOH��ZLWK� DQVZHUV� UDQJLQJ� IURP��� �strongly agree�� WR����strongly disagree���0HDQ�VFRUHV�IRU�HDFK�HPR-WLRQ� VXEVFDOH�ZHUH� WDNHQ�� WKH�PLQLPXP�SRVVLEOH�VFRUH�LV����WKH�PD[LPXP���

0LQGIXOQHVV�ZDV�PHDVXUHG� XVLQJ� WKH� 3KLOD-GHOSKLD�0LQGIXOQHVV�6FDOH��3+/06���7KH����LWHP�VFDOH� FDQ� DOVR� EH� GLYLGHG� LQWR� WZR� VXEVFDOHV��$ZDUHQHVV�DQG�$FFHSWDQFH��7KHVH�VXEVFDOHV�KDYH� been demonstrated to be internally consist-HQW� �$ZDUHQHVV�� Į� � ����� $FFHSWDQFH�� Į� � ������&DUGDFLRWWR��+HUEHUW��)RUPDQ��0RLWUD���)DUURZ��������DQG�XQFRUUHODWHG�ZLWK�HDFK�RWKHU��DQG�FRQ-¿UPDWRU\�IDFWRU�DQDO\VLV�KDV�OHQW�VXSSRUW�IRU�WKLV�WZR�IDFWRU� VROXWLRQ�� 5HVSRQGHQWV� DUH� DVNHG� KRZ��IUHTXHQWO\�WKH�VWDWHPHQWV�KDYH�DSSOLHG�WR�WKHP�LQ�WKH�SDVW�ZHHN��UDWHG�RQ�D���SRLQW�/LNHUW�VFDOH�UDQJ-LQJ�IURP����never��WR����very often��

ProceduresParticipants underwent the procedure individ-

XDOO\��7KH\�¿UVW�FRPSOHWHG�WKH�$(4�DQG�3+/06��7KH\� ZHUH� DVNHG� ZKHWKHU� WKH\� KDG� HYHU� KHDUG�RI� ()7� EHIRUH� �LI� DQ\� SDUWLFLSDQWV� KDG� KHDUG� RI�()7��WKHLU�GDWD�ZRXOG�KDYH�EHHQ�RPLWWHG�IURP�WKH�DQDO\VLV���7KH\�ZHUH� WKHQ� UHPLQGHG� WKDW� WKH� IRO-ORZLQJ�VHVVLRQ�ZDV�HQWLUHO\�FRQ¿GHQWLDO��DQG� WKH�UHVHDUFKHU�OHIW�WKH�URRP��OHDYLQJ�WKHP�DORQH�ZLWK�WKH�()7�SUDFWLWLRQHU�IRU����PLQ��3DUWLFLSDQWV�HLWKHU�XQGHUZHQW�()7�UHODWLQJ�WR�WKHLU�VWXG\�UHODWHG�HPR-WLRQV� RU� XQGHUZHQW� WKH� FRQWURO� FRQGLWLRQ�� ZKLFK�ZDV�LGHQWLFDO�WR�WKH�()7�FRQGLWLRQ�ZLWK�WKH�H[FHS-WLRQ� WKDW� XWLOL]DWLRQ� RI� DFXSRLQW� WDSSLQJ� DQG� WKH�VHOI�DFFHSWDQFH� VWDWHPHQWV� FKDUDFWHULVWLF� RI� ()7��H�J��� ³(YHQ� WKRXJK� ,� KDYH� WKLV� >WKRXJKW�IHHOLQJ�EHOLHI@��,¶P�2.�DQG�,¶P�KHUH�QRZ´��ZHUH�QRW�XVHG��,QVWHDG��SDUWLFLSDQWV�ZHUH�DVNHG�WR�VLPSO\�REVHUYH�how the emotion felt in their body and sometimes invited to imagine sending a breath toward any GLVFRPIRUW� IHOW� �IRU� D� PRUH� GHWDLOHG� GHVFULSWLRQ�RI�WKH�JURXS�SURFHGXUHV�VHH�$SSHQGL[���()7�ZDV�GHOLYHUHG�ZLWK�¿GHOLW\�WR�The EFT Manual �&UDLJ���������$OO� VWXG\� SDUWLFLSDQWV� ¿OOHG� RXW� WKH�$(4�

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Energy Psychology ������1RYHPEHU����� Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo?��

DQG�3+/06�DJDLQ�DW�KRPH���GD\V�DIWHU�UHFHLYLQJ�the intervention.

Practitioner7KH�()7�SUDFWLWLRQHU��5XWK�)R[��LV�DFFUHGLWHG�

E\�WKH�$VVRFLDWLRQ�IRU�WKH�$GYDQFHPHQW�RI�0HULG-LDQ�(QHUJ\�7HFKQLTXHV�DV�DQ�DGYDQFHG�SUDFWLWLRQHU�DQG�WUDLQHU�RI�()7��ZZZ�DDPHW�RUJ���6KH�LV�DOVR�D�trained hypnotherapist.

Results1RQH�RI�WKH�SDUWLFLSDQWV�KDG�KHDUG�RI�()7�SULRU�

WR� WKH� VWXG\�� 7KH� t tests found none of the emo-WLRQ�PHDVXUH�RU�PLQGIXOQHVV� WR� VLJQL¿FDQWO\�GLIIHU�EHWZHHQ� WKH� JURXSV� DW� 7�� �pV� � ����±������� RQO\�SULGH�DSSURDFKHG�VLJQL¿FDQFH��p ��������7KH�IRFXV�RI�WKH�VWDWLVWLFDO�DQDO\VLV�ZDV�WR�ORRN�IRU�VLJQL¿FDQW�*URXS� !� 7LPH� LQWHUDFWLRQV� ZLWKLQ� HDFK� GHSHQG-HQW�YDULDEOH� WR�GHWHUPLQH�ZKHWKHU�()7� UHVXOWHG� LQ�VLJQL¿FDQWO\� ODUJHU� SUH�� WR� SRVWWHVW� GLIIHUHQFHV� LQ�study-related emotions in that group than in the control condition. Assumptions for parametric test-ing were met for two of the dependent variables WKDW�\LHOGHG�VLJQL¿FDQW�*URXS�!�7LPH�LQWHUDFWLRQV��$�6KDSLUR�:LON¶V�WHVW�VKRZHG�HQMR\PHQW�DQG�KRSH�WR�EH�QRUPDOO\�GLVWULEXWHG��pV�!����� DQG�/HYHQH¶V�test showed the variances amongst these variables to EH�HTXDO��pV� ����±������6XEVHTXHQW�DQDO\VLV�XVLQJ�D�PL[HG�DQDO\VLV�RI�YDULDQFH��$129$��UHYHDOHG�WKH�*URXS�!�7LPH�LQWHUDFWLRQ�IRU�HQMR\PHQW�WR�EH�VLJ-QL¿FDQW��7KLV�LQWHUDFWLRQ�VKRZHG�D�IDLUO\�ODUJH�HIIHFW�VL]H��F�������� ��������p ��������SDUWLDO�Ș�� ������7KH�LQWHUDFWLRQ�IRU�KRSH�ZDV�DOVR�VLJQL¿FDQW��\LHOGLQJ�D�PRGHUDWH�HIIHFW�VL]H��F�������� �������p �������SDUWLDO Ș�� ������7KH�DVVXPSWLRQ�RI�KRPRJHQHLW\�RI�YDULDQFH�ZDV�YLRODWHG�ZLWKLQ�7� data for the variables anger �p ������DQG�VKDPH��p �������$V�WKH�JURXS�VDPSOH�VL]HV�ZHUH�HTXDO��KRZHYHU��WKH�UHVHDUFKHU�SURFHHGHG�ZLWK�SDUDPHWULF�DQDO\VHV��7KH�*URXS�!�7LPH�LQWHU-DFWLRQ�IRU�DQJHU�ZDV�VLJQL¿FDQW��\LHOGLQJ�D�PHGLXP�HIIHFW�VL]H��F�������� �������p �������SDUWLDO�Ș�� ������WKH�LQWHUDFWLRQ�IRU�VKDPH�ZDV�DOVR�VLJQL¿FDQW��DOVR�\LHOGLQJ� D� PHGLXP� HIIHFW� VL]H�� F���� ���� � ������p �������SDUWLDO�Ș�� ������*URXS�!�7LPH�LQWHUDFWLRQV�for all other emotion measures and mindfulness were QRW� VLJQL¿FDQW�� 1R� VLJQL¿FDQW� PDLQ� HIIHFWV� ZHUH�found for either group or time on any of the emo-WLRQ�PHDVXUHV��$129$V�ZHUH�DOVR�SHUIRUPHG�RQ�WKH�individual Awareness and Acceptance dimensions of WKH�3+/06��EXW�\LHOGHG�QR�VLJQL¿FDQW�LQWHUDFWLRQV�

$GGLWLRQDOO\�� WR� VHH� ZKHWKHU� EDVHOLQH� �OHYHOV�of mindfulness bore any relationship with par-WLFLSDQWV¶�UHVSRQVLYHQHVV�WR�WKH��LQWHUYHQWLRQ��,�FDO-FXODWHG� �3HDUVRQ¶V� r for the relationship between EDVHOLQH� �7��� VFRUHV� RI�PLQGIXOQHVV� DQG� WKH� GLI-IHUHQFHV� LQ� HPRWLRQ� VFRUHV� EHWZHHQ� 7�� DQG� 7�. 1R� VLJQL¿FDQW� FRUUHODWLRQV� ZHUH� IRXQG� IRU� DQ\�HPRWLRQ� LWHPV�� KRZHYHU��7KLV�ZDV� WKH� FDVH� ERWK�when all study participants were grouped together DQG�ZKHQ�HDFK�JURXS�ZDV�DQDO\]HG�VHSDUDWHO\��+� would therefore appear to be unsupported by the ¿QGLQJV�RI�WKLV�VWXG\�

Post hoc analysis was performed using paired samples t�WHVWV��VHH�7DEOH�����()7�SDUWLFLSDQWV�VLJ-QL¿FDQWO\�GLIIHUHG�EHWZHHQ�7��DQG�7� on all emo-WLRQV�H[FHSW�SULGH��DOO�FKDQJHV�ZHUH�LQ�D�EHQH¿FLDO�GLUHFWLRQ��7KH�RQO\�VLJQL¿FDQW�GLIIHUHQFH�EHWZHHQ�7�� DQG� 7� among control participants was on HQMR\PHQW��ZKLFK�GHFUHDVHG�

7R� DFFRXQW� IRU� LQGLYLGXDO� GLIIHUHQFHV� LQ� WKH�particular emotions addressed by the sessions �DV� GLVFXVVHG� EHORZ��� ,� DOVR� JURXSHG� HPRWLRQV�into positive emotions and negative emotions and DQDO\]HG� WKHP�� )RU� SRVLWLYH� HPRWLRQV�� D� PHDQ�score was calculated from enjoyment, KRSH�� DQG�pride. Pride ZDV� LQWHUSUHWHG�DV�SRVLWLYH�� DV�SULGH VWDWHPHQWV�RQ� WKH�$(4�DSSHDU� WR� UHSUHVHQW�SRVL-WLYH�VWDWHV�RI� VHOI�IXO¿OOPHQW� �H�J��� ³,� WKLQN� ,�FDQ�EH� SURXG� RI� P\� DFFRPSOLVKPHQWV� DW� VWXG\LQJ´��³:KHQ� ,� VROYH� D� GLI¿FXOW� SUREOHP� LQ�P\� VWXG\-LQJ�� P\� KHDUW� EHDWV� ZLWK� SULGH´��� DV� RSSRVHG� WR�UHSUHVHQWLQJ�VWDWHV�RI�DUURJDQFH��DV�FRXOG�DOVR�EH�implied by the term pride��)RU�QHJDWLYH�HPRWLRQV��D�PHDQ�VFRUH�ZDV�FDOFXODWHG�IURP�DQJHU��DQ[LHW\��VKDPH��KRSHOHVVQHVV��DQG�ERUHGRP�

After being grouped into positive emotions DQG�QHJDWLYH�HPRWLRQV��DOO�GDWD�ZHUH�IRXQG�WR�EH�QRUPDOO\� GLVWULEXWHG� �pV� !� ������ 9DULDQFHV� ZHUH�IRXQG� WR� EH� HTXDO� IRU� SRVLWLYH� HPRWLRQV� DW� 7���F�������� �������p !�����DQG�7���F�������� �������p !������DQG�QHJDWLYH�HPRWLRQV�DW�7���F�������� �������p !������7KLV�DVVXPSWLRQ�ZDV�YLRODWHG�IRU�QHJDWLYH�HPRWLRQV�DW�7���F�������� �������p �������$�PL[HG�$129$� ZDV� SHUIRUPHG�� \LHOGLQJ� VLJQL¿FDQW�*URXS� !� 7LPH� LQWHUDFWLRQV� DQG� PRGHUDWH� HIIHFW�VL]HV�IRU�ERWK�SRVLWLYH�HPRWLRQV��F�������� �������p �� ����� SDUWLDO�Ș�� � ����� DQG� QHJDWLYH� HPRWLRQV��F�������� �������p �������SDUWLDO�Ș�� ������*URXS�DQG�time main effects for these two dependent vari-DEOHV�ZHUH� DOO� QRQVLJQL¿FDQW�� KRZHYHU�� WKH�PDLQ�effect for time for negative emotions approached VLJQL¿FDQFH��F�������� �������p ������

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Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo? (QHUJ\�3V\FKRORJ\�������1RYHPEHU����� ��

Table 1: Dependent Variables Before (T1 ) and After (T2 ) Treatment

Variable T1 T2 t p

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Post hoc analysis was performed on posi-tive emotions and negative emotions using paired-sample t WHVWV��VHH�7DEOH�����3RVLWLYH�HPR-tions increased and negative emotions decreased IURP�7��WR�7��DPRQJ�()7�SDUWLFLSDQWV��ERWK�ZHUH�VLJQL¿FDQW� �pV� �� ������1R� VLJQL¿FDQW� GLIIHUHQFHV�ZHUH� IRXQG� EHWZHHQ� 7�� DQG� 7� among control participants for either positive emotions or nega-WLYH� HPRWLRQV�� 7KHVH� ¿QGLQJV� OHQG� VXSSRUW� IRU�

ERWK�+��DQG�+���7KHUH�ZHUH�QR�GURSRXWV��DQG�QR�adverse events were reported by participants.

DiscussionAnalysis of the data gathered in the present

VWXG\� IRXQG� ()7� WR� EH� VWDWLVWLFDOO\� VXSHULRU� WR�WKH� FRQWURO� FRQGLWLRQ� DW� LQFUHDVLQJ� SDUWLFLSDQWV¶�self-perceived levels of study-related enjoyment

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Energy Psychology ������1RYHPEHU����� Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo?��

and hope and decreasing self-perceived levels RI� VWXG\�UHODWHG� DQJHU� DQG� VKDPH�� 6WDWLVWLFDO��VXSHULRULW\�RI�()7�ZDV�DOVR�REVHUYHG�ERWK�ZKHQ�all positive emotions and all negative emotions ZHUH�JURXSHG�LQWR�VLQJXODU�YDULDEOHV��5HVXOWV�IURP�t WHVWV� VKRZHG� WKDW� SDUWLFLSDQWV¶� VHOI�SHUFHSWLRQ�RI� QHDUO\� DOO� HPRWLRQ� YDULDEOHV� �ZLWK� WKH� H[FHS-WLRQ�RI�SULGH��VLJQL¿FDQWO\�GLIIHUHG�DIWHU�()7��$OO�REVHUYHG�FKDQJHV�LQ�WKH�()7�JURXS�ZHUH�LQ�D�EHQ-H¿FLDO� GLUHFWLRQ�� WKDW� LV�� DQJHU�ZDV� UHGXFHG�� DQG�HQMR\PHQW�ZDV�LQFUHDVHG��7KHVH�¿QGLQJV�VXSSRUW�+�� DQG� +��� 0LQGIXOQHVV� GLG� QRW� VKRZ� DQ\� VLJ-QL¿FDQW� UHODWLRQVKLSV�ZLWK� RWKHU� YDULDEOHV�ZLWKLQ�WKH�GDWD��DQG� WKXV�+� would appear to be unsup-SRUWHG��)LQGLQJV�SUHVHQWHG�KHUH�VXJJHVW�WKDW�()7�may be a useful tool for both regulating negative and cultivating positive emotions associated with LQGHSHQGHQW� VWXG\� DW� D� XQLYHUVLW\� OHYHO�� ,Q� OLJKW�RI� WKHVH� ¿QGLQJV� DQG� UHVHDUFK� E\� 3HNUXQ� HW� DO���������������DQG�'HWWPHUV�HW�DO����������()7�PD\�therefore be useful in assisting students to engage with studies and potentially achieve more posi-WLYH� DFDGHPLF� RXWFRPHV�� ,W� LV� SRVVLEOH� WKDW� ()7�may be particularly effective at addressing study-UHODWHG� HQMR\PHQW�� KRSH�� DQJHU�� DQG� VKDPH��7KH�DSSOLFDWLRQ� RI� DFXSRLQW� WDSSLQJ�� DORQJ� ZLWK� WKH�YRFDOL]DWLRQ� RI� WKH� SKUDVH� ³HYHQ� WKRXJK� ,� KDYH�WKLV�>WKRXJKW�IHHOLQJ�EHOLHI@��,¶P�2.�DQG�,¶P�KHUH�QRZ´�PD\�EH� WKH�SULPDU\�FDXVH�RI� WKH�REVHUYHG�HIIHFWV��ZKLFK�ZRXOG�DSSHDU�WR�SHUVLVW�EH\RQG�WKH�LPPHGLDWH�FRQFOXVLRQ�RI�()7�

,W� LV� QRW� FOHDU� ZK\� WKH� DSSOLFDWLRQ� RI� ()7�\LHOGHG�VLJQL¿FDQW�FKDQJHV� LQ�HQMR\PHQW��KRSH��DQJHU��DQG�VKDPH��VSHFL¿FDOO\��WKH�OLWHUDWXUH�FLWHG�SUHYLRXVO\�KDV�VXJJHVWHG�DQ[LHW\�WR�EH�WKH�PRVW�OLNHO\� YDULDEOH� WR� VKRZ� VLJQL¿FDQW� FKDQJH�� ,W� LV�SRVVLEOH� WKDW� WKHVH�¿QGLQJV� LOOXVWUDWH� LQGLYLGXDO�GLIIHUHQFHV�LQ�WKH�FRQWHQW�RI�WKH�()7�VHVVLRQV�LQ�WKLV�VWXG\��)RU�H[DPSOH��PRUH�SDUWLFLSDQWV�FRXOG�have spent the majority of the session focusing RQ� VWXG\�UHODWHG� DQJHU�� IHZHU� FRXOG� KDYH� VSHQW�WKH� VHVVLRQ� IRFXVLQJ� SUHGRPLQDQWO\� RQ� DQ[LHW\��:LWK�WKLV�LQ�PLQG��LW�LV�LQ�IDFW�VXUSULVLQJ�WKDW�WKH�HPRWLRQ�YDULDEOHV�\LHOGHG�DQ\�VLJQL¿FDQW�HIIHFWV�DW� DOO�� HVSHFLDOO\� JLYHQ� WKH� VPDOO� VDPSOH� VL]H��7KLV� VXJJHVWV� D� SRVVLELOLW\� WKDW� ()7� FDQ� HIIHF-tively address various affective components of DQ�LVVXH�VLPXOWDQHRXVO\��UHJDUGOHVV�RI�WKH�SDUWLF-XODU�IRFXV�RI�WKH�VHVVLRQ��7KLV�LGHD�LV�VXSSRUWHG�E\� WKH� IDFW� WKDW� VLJQL¿FDQW�*URXS�!�7LPH� LQWHU-actions were still obtained when these emotion variables were combined with other positive or

QHJDWLYH� VXEVFDOHV� LQ� ZKLFK� WKH�*URXS�!� 7LPH�LQWHUDFWLRQV�ZHUH�GHHPHG� WR�EH� LQVLJQL¿FDQW�� ,Q�IDFW�� WKH� LQWHUDFWLRQ� VLJQL¿FDQFH� OHYHO� IRU�QHJD-tive emotions was found to be stronger—and WR�\LHOG�D� ODUJHU�HIIHFW� VL]H²WKDQ� WKDW�RI�HLWKHU anger or shame.

7KH�¿QGLQJV�KHUH�VXJJHVW�WKDW�WKH�DSSOLFDWLRQ�of acupoint tapping with simultaneous vocali-]DWLRQ� RI� WKH� SKUDVH� ³HYHQ� WKRXJK� ,� KDYH� WKLV�>WKRXJKW�IHHOLQJ�EHOLHI@�� ,¶P� 2.� DQG� ,¶P� KHUH�QRZ´� LV� WULJJHULQJ� D� SV\FKRORJLFDO� PHFKDQLVP�WKDW� VXEVHTXHQWO\� OHDGV� WR� DQ� HQKDQFHG� VHQVH� RI�SV\FKRORJLFDO�ZHOOEHLQJ��7KHUH�DUH�FRQFHLYDEO\�D�QXPEHU� RI� SRWHQWLDO� H[WUDQHRXV� YDULDEOHV� ZLWKLQ�WKLV�HIIHFW��WKHVH�DUH�DGGUHVVHG�KHUH��7KH�VLPLODUL-ties among between-groups conditions within the present study refute the idea that this effect could EH�PHUHO\�GXH� WR�D� VXSSRUWLYH� LQWHUYLHZ�� ,W�PXVW�EH�FRQFHGHG��KRZHYHU��WKDW�LI�()7�ZDV�PRUH�HI¿-FDFLRXV� DW� DOWHULQJ� WKH� LPPHGLDWH� H[SHULHQFH� RI�HPRWLRQDO�GLVFRPIRUWV��WKH�VXEVHTXHQW�GLVFXVVLRQ�FRXOG� KDYH�PRYHG� DORQJ�PRUH� UDSLGO\�� WKHUHIRUH�DGGUHVVLQJ� PRUH� LVVXHV²WKLV� FRXOG� LQÀXHQFH�VXEVHTXHQW� GLIIHUHQFHV� LQ� HPRWLRQV� REVHUYHG�� ,W�must also be conceded that individual differences LQ� SDUWLFLSDQWV¶� UHVSRQVLYHQHVV� WR� WKH� LQWHUYHQ-WLRQ�FRXOG�H[SODLQ�WKH�JURXS�GLIIHUHQFHV��,W�VHHPV�XQOLNHO\� WKDW� WKH� REVHUYHG� VDOXWDU\� HIIHFWV� ZHUH�SXUHO\�D�UHVXOW�RI�H[SHFWDQF\�RU�SODFHER�HIIHFW��DV�participants were blind as to whether they were UHFHLYLQJ�DQ�()7�WUHDWPHQW�RU�QRW��7KLV�FDQQRW�EH�FHUWDLQ²LW�PD\�EH�WKDW�WKH�()7�SURFHGXUH��LQYROY-LQJ�VRPDWLF�HOHPHQWV��DSSHDUHG�PRUH�VXEVWDQWLYH�WR�SDUWLFLSDQWV��+RZHYHU��WKH�RSSRVLWH�FRXOG�DOVR�IHDVLEO\�EH�WKH�FDVH��7KH�()7�SUDFWLWLRQHU�UHFDOOHG�WKDW� LWV� XQIDPLOLDULW\� DQG� EL]DUUH� SURFHGXUH� KDV�LQ� IDFW� EHHQ� NQRZQ� WR� PDNH� SHRSOH� IHHO� TXLWH� uncomfortable—this could potentially instigate a QRFHER�HIIHFW��7KLV�ZRXOG�DOVR�PDNH� WKH� LGHD�RI�DIIHFWLYH�WRXFK�VHHP�XQOLNHO\�

5HJDUGLQJ� WKH� HIIHFW� RI� DFXSRLQW� WDSSLQJ� LQ�SDUWLFXODU�� WKH� RQO\� RWKHU� VXEVWDQWLYH� GLIIHUHQFH�between the procedures of each condition was the UHSHDWHG� YRFDOL]DWLRQ� E\� WKH� SDUWLFLSDQW� RI� YDUL-RXV�VHOI�DFFHSWDQFH�SKUDVHV��WKDW�LV��³(YHQ�WKRXJK�,�KDYH�WKLV�DQ[LHW\�DERXW�P\�XSFRPLQJ�H[DP��,¶P�2.�DQG�,¶P�KHUH�QRZ�´�,Q�DGGUHVVLQJ�ZKHWKHU�WKLV�YRFDOL]DWLRQ� FRXOG� LQ� IDFW� EH� WKH� SULPDU\� FDXVH�of the observed effects rather than acupoint tap-SLQJ�� RQH� VKRXOG� UHIHU� WR� SUHYLRXVO\� SXEOLVKHG�studies on the intriguing therapeutic effect of ()7� RQ� 376'� �&KXUFK� HW� DO��� ������ )HLQVWHLQ��

Page 9: Energy Psychology Journal - Is Acupoint Tapping an Active …energypsychologyjournal.org › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 02 › ... · 2017-06-22 · Is Acupoint Tapping an

Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo? (QHUJ\�3V\FKRORJ\�������1RYHPEHU����� ��

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Page 10: Energy Psychology Journal - Is Acupoint Tapping an Active …energypsychologyjournal.org › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 02 › ... · 2017-06-22 · Is Acupoint Tapping an

Energy Psychology ������1RYHPEHU����� Tapping: Active Ingredient or Inert Placebo?��

attributable to acupoint tapping as persisting for DV� ORQJ� DV� ��� PRQWKV� �H�J��� 6DNDL� HW� DO��� ������would tend to lean speculation in the latter direc-WLRQ�� 376'� LV�� KRZHYHU�� D� VHULRXV� SV\FKRORJLFDO�FRQGLWLRQ��DQG�RQH�FDQQRW� MXVWLI\� WKH�DVVXPSWLRQ�WKDW�376'�DQG�DFKLHYHPHQW�HPRWLRQV�DUH�DIIHFWHG�LQ�WKH�VDPH�ZD\�E\�()7��,QIRUPDO�IHHGEDFN�IURP�()7�SDUWLFLSDQWV�LQ�WKH�SUHVHQW�VWXG\�\LHOGHG�VXFK�VWDWHPHQWV�DV�³>WKH�VHVVLRQ@�SURGXFHG�D�IHHOLQJ�RI�OHYHO�KHDGHGQHVV�´�³WKH�WDSSLQJ�LV�YHU\�UHOD[LQJ�´�and “the tapping became therapeutic allowing me WR�EHFRPH�PRUH�FRPIRUWDEOH�DERXW�H[SUHVVLQJ�P\�IHHOLQJV�´� 5HJDUGLQJ� WKH� WLPH� DIWHU� WKH� VHVVLRQ��SDUWLFLSDQWV� FODLPHG� WKDW� ³,� OHIW� IHHOLQJ� VWURQJ�PLQGHG� DQG� HTXLSSHG� WR� VXFFHHG�´� ³,� IHOW� PRUH�PRWLYDWHG�DQG�GULYHQ�WR�GR�UHYLVLRQ�DQG�ZRUN�KDUG�for the assignment ... however this feeling only ODVWHG� IRU� D� VKRUW�ZKLOH�´� DQG� ³DIWHUZDUGV�� ,� IHOW�QRWKLQJ� RI� DQ\� VLJQL¿FDQFH�´�7KHUH� VHHPV� WR� EH�VRPH�VKDUHG�DSSUHFLDWLRQ�IRU�WKH�LPPHGLDWH�H[SH-ULHQFH�EURXJKW�RQ�E\�DFXSRLQW�WDSSLQJ��EXW�D�JHQ-HUDO�ODFN�RI�FRQVHQVXV�RQ�WKH�HIIHFWV�IROORZLQJ�WKH�session that is far from illuminating.

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References%DNHU��$��+����6LHJHO��/��6����������(PRWLRQDO�)UHHGRP�7HFK-QLTXHV� �()7�� UHGXFHV� LQWHQVH� IHDUV�� $� SDUWLDO� UHSOLFDWLRQ�DQG� H[WHQVLRQ�RI�:HOOV��3ROJODVH��$QGUHZV��&DUULQJWRQ���%DNHU��Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, & Treatment,

2�������±���%HQRU��'��-���/HGJHU��.���7RXVVDLQW��/���+HWW��*����=DFFDUR��'���������� 3LORW� VWXG\� RI� (PRWLRQDO� )UHHGRP� 7HFKQLTXHV��:KROLVWLF�+\EULG�'HULYHG�)URP�(\H�0RYHPHQW�'HVHQVLWL-]DWLRQ�DQG�5HSURFHVVLQJ�DQG�(PRWLRQDO�)UHHGRP�7HFKQLTXH��DQG�&RJQLWLYH�%HKDYLRUDO�7KHUDS\�IRU�WUHDWPHQW�RI�WHVW�DQ[L-ety in university students. Explore, 5, ���±�����KWWS���G[�GRL�RUJ���������M�H[SORUH������������

%URZQ��.��:���5\DQ��5��0����&UHVZHOO��-��'����������0LQGIXO-QHVV��7KHRUHWLFDO� IRXQGDWLRQV�DQG�HYLGHQFH� IRU� LWV� VDOXWDU\�effects. Psychological Inquiry, 18�� ���±����� KWWS���G[�GRL�RUJ��������������������������

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&DUGDFLRWWR�� /��� +HUEHUW�� -�� '��� )RUPDQ�� (�� 0��� 0RLWUD�� (���� )DUURZ�� 9�� �������� 7KH� DVVHVVPHQW� RI� SUHVHQW�PRPHQW�DZDUHQHVV� DQG� DFFHSWDQFH�� 7KH� 3KLODGHOSKLD� 0LQGIXOQHVV�6FDOH��Assessment, 15�� ���±����� KWWS���G[�GRL�RUJ��������� ����������������

&KHUNLQ��'��&���6KHUPDQ��.��-���$YLQV��$��/���(UUR��-���,FKLNDZD��/���%DUORZ��:��(��«�'H\R��5��$����������$�UDQGRPL]HG�WULDO�FRP-SDULQJ�DFXSXQFWXUH��VLPXODWHG�DFXSXQFWXUH��DQG�XVXDO�FDUH�IRU�FKURQLF�EDFN�SDLQ��JAMA Internal Medicine, 169�����±�����KWWS���G[�GRL�RUJ���������DUFKLQWHUQPHG��������

&KXUFK��'����������&OLQLFDO�()7�DV�DQ�HYLGHQFH�EDVHG�SUDFWLFH�for the treatment of psychological and physiological con-ditions. Psychology, 4�����±�����KWWS���G[�GRL�RUJ���������SV\FK�����������

&KXUFK��'����%URRNV��$��-����������7KH�HIIHFW�RI�D�EULHI�()7��(PRWLRQDO�)UHHGRP�7HFKQLTXHV��VHOI�LQWHUYHQWLRQ�RQ�DQ[L-HW\�� GHSUHVVLRQ�� SDLQ� DQG� FUDYLQJV� LQ� KHDOWKFDUH� ZRUNHUV��Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, 9, ��±���

Page 11: Energy Psychology Journal - Is Acupoint Tapping an Active …energypsychologyjournal.org › wp-content › uploads › 2014 › 02 › ... · 2017-06-22 · Is Acupoint Tapping an

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&KXUFK��'���3LxD��2���5HDWHJXL��&����%URRNV��$����������6LQ-gle-session reduction of the intensity of traumatic memories LQ� DEXVHG� DGROHVFHQWV� DIWHU�()7��$� UDQGRPLVHG� FRQWUROOHG�pilot study. Traumatology, 18����� ��±���� KWWS���G[�GRL�RUJ� ������������������������

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&UDLJ�� *�� �������� The EFT manual� ��QG HG���� )XOWRQ�� &$��Energy Psychology Press.

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