The Tapping Evidence Base
PTSD & Trauma · Other Physical Conditions

Post-Earthquake Rehabilitation of Clinical PTSD in Haitian Seminarians

Gurret, J.M., Caufour, C., Palmer-Hoffman, J., Church, D. · Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment · 2012

Outcome study👥 77 participantsPreliminary✓ Source-checked📍 Haiti
In plain English. 77 Haitian seminary students affected by the devastating 2010 earthquake learned EFT over two days, and afterward none of them still scored in the clinical PTSD range, down from nearly two-thirds at the start. There was no separate comparison group, so we can't rule out that time alone contributed to some improvement, but the size and speed of change is notable.

What they found

77
people took part

Following 2 days of EFT training, 0% of participants scored in the clinical PTSD range on the PCL (down from 62% at baseline); mean PCL score decreased to 27 at posttest, a statistically significant decrease (p<.001), averaging a 72% reduction.

How the study worked

Who took part77 male Haitian seminarians following the 2010 earthquake (n=77)
What they didParticipants received tapping and were measured before and after, without a separate comparison group.
Measured withPTSD Checklist (PCL)

💡 Where this could help

If findings like these hold up in larger trials, the promise is simple: a low-cost, self-administered tool that could reach people struggling with PTSD & trauma who can't easily access traditional care — at home, between appointments, or where there aren't enough clinicians to go around.

🔬 What to study next

The natural next step: a head-to-head trial against an established treatment like CBT, and a randomized controlled design.

The full record

DesignOutcome study
Participants77 people
Population77 male Haitian seminarians following the 2010 earthquake
Outcome measuresPTSD Checklist (PCL)
JournalEnergy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment
Year2012
CountryHaiti
LanguageEnglish
MethodEFT / tapping
Publication typeStudy / trial
Verification✓ Confirmed against the primary source

Read the original study →

Cite this study

APA

Gurret, J.M., Caufour, C., Palmer-Hoffman, J., & Church, D. (2012). Post-Earthquake Rehabilitation of Clinical PTSD in Haitian Seminarians. 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 · Other Physical Conditions

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THE TAPPING EVIDENCE BASE PTSD & Trauma 77 participants WHAT THEY FOUND Following 2 days of EFT training, 0% ofparticipants scored in the clinical PTSDrange on the PCL (down from 62% at… Outcome study · 77 participants Gurret · 2012 · evidence.thetappingsolution.com