Tapping for Weight & Food Cravings — evidence summary for clinicians

Tapping (EFT) for Weight & Food Cravings: evidence summary

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

24studies

12randomized trials

—meta-analyses/reviews

2,001participants

Selected strongest studies

Study	Design	Journal	Effect
Stapleton, P., Roos, T. et al. (2019)	Randomized trial, N=451	OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
Stapleton, P., Clark, A. et al. (2020)	Randomized trial, N=343	Heliyon
Stapleton, P., Lilley-Hale, E. et al. (2020)	Randomized trial, N=96	Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Stapleton, P., et al. (2013)	Randomized trial, N=96	—	Cohen's d (EFT vs waitlist) = 0.27
Stapleton, P., Sheldon, T. et al. (2012)	Randomized trial, N=96	Energy Psychology Journal
Stapleton, P., Bannatyne, A.J. et al. (2016)	Randomized trial, N=83	Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
Stapleton, P., et al. (2013)	Randomized trial, N=45	—	Cohen's d = 0.37
Stapleton, P. B., Chatwin, H. et al. (2016)	Randomized trial, N=44	Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

Study

Design

Journal

Effect

Stapleton, P., Roos, T. et al. (2019)

Randomized trial, N=451

OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine

Stapleton, P., Clark, A. et al. (2020)

Randomized trial, N=343

Heliyon

Stapleton, P., Lilley-Hale, E. et al. (2020)

Randomized trial, N=96

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Stapleton, P., et al. (2013)

Randomized trial, N=96

—

Cohen's d (EFT vs waitlist) = 0.27

Stapleton, P., Sheldon, T. et al. (2012)

Randomized trial, N=96

Energy Psychology Journal

Stapleton, P., Bannatyne, A.J. et al. (2016)

Randomized trial, N=83

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being

Stapleton, P., et al. (2013)

Randomized trial, N=45

—

Cohen's d = 0.37

Stapleton, P. B., Chatwin, H. et al. (2016)

Randomized trial, N=44

Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing

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.