The Tapping Evidence Base
PTSD & Trauma · Anxiety · Depression

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Remediates PTSD and Psychological Symptoms in Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Replication Trial

Geronilla, L., Minewiser, L., Mollon, P., McWilliams, M., Clond, M. · Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment · 2016

Randomized trial👥 58 participants⚖️ vs. treatment as usual / waitlistModerate rigor📍 United States
In plain English. 58 veterans with clinical-level PTSD symptoms were randomly assigned to tapping sessions or their usual care. Those who tapped saw their PTSD symptom scores fall by roughly half, while the comparison group didn't budge, and the benefit was still there six months later. This is a replication of an earlier veterans study, but we could not directly confirm every detail from the original source, so treat the specific numbers as provisional.

What they found

58
people took part

PCL-M scores in the EFT group dropped from a mean of about 65 to about 34 (p<.001), a roughly 52% decline in PTSD symptom severity, while the treatment-as-usual group showed no significant change; gains were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

How the study worked

Who took partveterans scoring at or above the clinical PTSD threshold on the PCL-M (n=58)
What they didIn a randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive tapping or a comparison condition, then measured and compared.
Compared withtreatment as usual / waitlist
Measured withPCL-M

💡 Where this could help

Picture another veteran, in a different clinic, hearing that a treatment that helped a previous group of veterans might help them too. This replication is exactly the kind of repeat result that builds real confidence — if it keeps holding up across different sites and veteran populations, it strengthens the case for offering tapping as a standard, sanctioned option within veteran mental health care, one that, once taught, a veteran could continue using at home without depending on limited clinician hours.

🔬 What to study next

Since this replicated an earlier large effect, the next step is pairing the replication design with objective PTSD biomarkers — HRV, cortisol awakening response, or fMRI amygdala reactivity to trauma cues — measured at baseline, post-treatment, and the 6-month follow-up point, to see whether the durable symptom relief on paper is matched by durable physiological change, not just steady questionnaire scores.

The full record

DesignRandomized trial
Participants58 people
Populationveterans scoring at or above the clinical PTSD threshold on the PCL-M
Comparison grouptreatment as usual / waitlist
Outcome measuresPCL-M
JournalEnergy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment
Year2016
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
MethodEFT / tapping
Publication typeStudy / trial
VerificationTranscribed from a peer-reviewed source; pending independent confirmation

Read the original study →

Cite this study

APA

Geronilla, L., Minewiser, L., Mollon, P., McWilliams, M., & Clond, M. (2016). EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Remediates PTSD and Psychological Symptoms in Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Replication Trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment.

This record is part of the Tapping Evidence Base — an openly-sourced, fully-referenced directory of the research on EFT/tapping. Explore more studies on PTSD & Trauma · Anxiety · Depression

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THE TAPPING EVIDENCE BASE PTSD & Trauma 58 participants WHAT THEY FOUND PCL-M scores in the EFT group dropped from amean of about 65 to about 34 (p<.001), aroughly 52% decline in PTSD… Randomized trial · 58 participants Geronilla · 2016 · evidence.thetappingsolution.com