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Phobias · How It Works (Biology)

Methodological problems in Waite and Holder (2003) preclude meaningful interpretations about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

Pasahow, R. · Energy Psychology Journal · 2010

ReviewPreliminary✓ Source-checked📍 United States
In plain English. This paper is a methodological rebuttal to an earlier study that had been used to argue EFT doesn't work. The author argues that study had real problems, including statistical errors, EFT not administered correctly, and too little treatment time, and that it relied on a single fear-rating scale many researchers wouldn't consider adequate on its own. This is an analysis and critique of another paper's methods, not a new outcome study, so it carries no new numbers of its own.

What they found

The paper argues that the Waite and Holder (2003) study, which used two sham-treatment groups and a control group and was cited by APA's Continuing Education Committee as evidence against EFT, contained numerous statistical omissions, incorrect application of EFT procedures, and insufficient treatment time, precluding meaningful conclusions.

How the study worked

Who took partmethodological critique of a prior EFT sham-treatment study
What they didThis is a review or commentary synthesizing existing work rather than reporting a new trial.
Measured withfear ratings

The full record

DesignReview
Populationmethodological critique of a prior EFT sham-treatment study
Outcome measuresfear ratings
JournalEnergy Psychology Journal
Year2010
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
MethodEFT / tapping
Publication typeReview or meta-analysis
Verification✓ Confirmed against the primary source

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Cite this study

APA

Pasahow, R. (2010). Methodological problems in Waite and Holder (2003) preclude meaningful interpretations about Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Energy Psychology Journal. https://doi.org/10.9769/EPJ.2010.2.2.RP

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 Phobias · How It Works (Biology)

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THE TAPPING EVIDENCE BASE Phobias ✓ Review WHAT THEY FOUND The paper argues that the Waite and Holder(2003) study, which used two sham-treatmentgroups and a control group and… Review Pasahow · 2010 · evidence.thetappingsolution.com