The Tapping Evidence Base
Phobias

The immediate effect of a brief energy psychology intervention (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on specific phobias: a pilot study

Salas, M.M., Brooks, A.J., Rowe, J.E. · Explore (NY) · 2011

Outcome studyPreliminary✓ Source-checked📍 United States
In plain English. In this small pilot study, people with specific phobias tried a brief tapping session and reported feeling less distressed by their fear afterward. Because it did not have a comparison group, it can only show that people felt better right after tapping — not whether tapping specifically caused it or whether it lasts. Treat this as an early, exploratory signal.

What they found

This pilot study (referenced in later systematic reviews of Clinical EFT) reported reductions in phobia-related distress following a brief EFT intervention. Correct citation is DOI 10.1016/j.explore.2011.02.005, Explore 7(3):155-161; a previously circulated PMID (21925093) for this article was checked and found to be incorrect (that PMID belongs to an unrelated hematology paper).

How the study worked

Who took partadults with self-identified specific phobias, assessed before and after a brief EFT session
What they didParticipants received tapping and were measured before and after, without a separate comparison group.
Measured withself-report fear/distress ratings

The full record

DesignOutcome study
Populationadults with self-identified specific phobias, assessed before and after a brief EFT session
Outcome measuresself-report fear/distress ratings
JournalExplore (NY)
Year2011
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
MethodEFT / tapping
Publication typeStudy / trial
Verification✓ Confirmed against the primary source

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Cite this study

APA

Salas, M.M., Brooks, A.J., & Rowe, J.E. (2011). The immediate effect of a brief energy psychology intervention (Emotional Freedom Techniques) on specific phobias: a pilot study. Explore (NY). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2011.02.005

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

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THE TAPPING EVIDENCE BASE Phobias ✓ Outcome study WHAT THEY FOUND This pilot study (referenced in latersystematic reviews of Clinical EFT) reportedreductions in phobia-related… Outcome study Salas · 2011 · evidence.thetappingsolution.com