Tapping for Phobias — evidence summary for clinicians

Tapping (EFT) for Phobias: evidence summary

A one-page overview of the peer-reviewed research, prepared for discussion with a healthcare provider. The Tapping Evidence Base · July 2026

31studies

10randomized trials

1meta-analyses/reviews

697participants

Selected strongest studies

Study	Design	Journal	Effect
Boath, E., Stewart, A. et al. (2012)	Systematic review, 7 studies	Staffordshire University, CPSI Monograph
Al Awdah, A.S., et al. (2021)	Randomized trial, N=160	EC Dental Science
Dincer, B., Kumral Özçelik, S. et al. (2020)	Randomized trial, N=76	Explore
Irgens, A. (2017)	Randomized trial, N=72	Frontiers in Psychology
Schoninger, B., Hartung, J. (2010)	Randomized trial, N=48	Energy Psychology: Theory, Practice, Research
Schoninger, B. (2004)	Randomized trial, N=48	Dissertation Abstracts International
Wells, S., Polglase, K. et al. (2003)	Randomized trial, N=35	Journal of Clinical Psychology	Cohen's d (EFT vs diaphragmatic breathing) = 1.64
Saleh, B., Tiscione, M. et al. (2017)	Randomized trial, N=8	Energy Psychology Journal

Study

Design

Journal

Effect

Boath, E., Stewart, A. et al. (2012)

Systematic review, 7 studies

Staffordshire University, CPSI Monograph

Al Awdah, A.S., et al. (2021)

Randomized trial, N=160

EC Dental Science

Dincer, B., Kumral Özçelik, S. et al. (2020)

Randomized trial, N=76

Explore

Irgens, A. (2017)

Randomized trial, N=72

Frontiers in Psychology

Schoninger, B., Hartung, J. (2010)

Randomized trial, N=48

Energy Psychology: Theory, Practice, Research

Schoninger, B. (2004)

Randomized trial, N=48

Dissertation Abstracts International

Wells, S., Polglase, K. et al. (2003)

Randomized trial, N=35

Journal of Clinical Psychology

Cohen's d (EFT vs diaphragmatic breathing) = 1.64

Saleh, B., Tiscione, M. et al. (2017)

Randomized trial, N=8

Energy Psychology Journal

What tapping (EFT) is. A brief self-administered technique combining exposure and cognitive elements with fingertip stimulation of acupressure points. It is used as a self-help and adjunctive practice for stress and emotional regulation. Effect sizes above are tapping vs. a comparison group; d ≥ 0.8 is considered large. Limitations across this literature include variable use of active vs. waitlist controls and reliance on self-report measures. This summary is informational and not a substitute for clinical judgment.