Tapping (EFT) for PTSD & Trauma: evidence summary

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

92studies
22randomized trials
19meta-analyses/reviews
3,291participants

Bottom line. A 2025 meta-analysis (Chen et al., 13 studies, N=621) found EFT reduced PTSD symptoms versus control groups (between-group Hedges' g = -2.062, 95% CI -2.759 to -1.452) and versus baseline (within-group g = -0.865), with gains maintained at 3 months (g = -0.723). The between-group figure is unusually large relative to the broader trauma-therapy literature and depends on the quality of the underlying trials.

Selected strongest studies

StudyDesignJournalEffect
Chen, W.T., Chao, T.Y. et al. (2025)
Across 13 studies and 621 patients, EFT significantly improved PTSD symptoms compared with control groups (Hedges' g=-2.
 Meta-analysis, N=621 European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience Hedges' g = -2.062
Stapleton, P., Kip, K. et al. (2023)
Versus waitlist, usual care, or no treatment, EFT produced large effects (Hedges' g range 1.
 Systematic review, N=280 Frontiers in Psychology Hedges' g = 1.86
Church, D., Stapleton, P. et al. (2018)
Drawing on more than 100 clinical trials, the paper concludes EFT's treatment effects for PTSD, anxiety, and depression exceed…
 Systematic review, 100 studies Healthcare
Church, D., Feinstein, D. (2017)
Remediation of PTSD and comorbid conditions is typically accomplished within four to ten sessions; six dismantling studies…
 Systematic review, 40 studies Medical Acupuncture
Boath, E., Stewart, A. et al. (2012)
A search identified 42 published EFT studies, of which 7 RCTs met inclusion criteria; EFT was shown effective for PTSD…
 Systematic review, 7 studies Staffordshire University, CPSI Monograph
Feinstein, D. (2012)
A literature search identified 51 peer-reviewed papers on clinical outcomes following acupoint tapping, including 18 RCTs, which…
 Systematic review, 51 studies Review of General Psychology
Feinstein, David (2010)
Two RCTs and six outcome studies corroborate that tapping acupoints during imaginal exposure quickly and permanently reduces…
 Systematic review, 8 studies Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training
Robson, R., Robson, P. et al. (2016)
One week after treatment, treated group scores improved from 58 to 26.
 Randomized trial, N=256 Current Research in Psychology Cohen's d = -1.83
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 reported as each study gives them: randomized and controlled trials give tapping versus a comparison group, while meta-analyses give pooled estimates — between-group versus control, or within-group pre-post where the row is labelled that way. For standardized effects (d, g), ≥ 0.8 is considered large; a Mean Difference is on the symptom scale's own units, not standardized. 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.