You, Y. L., Ramoo, V., Yahaya, N., et al. · BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies · 2025
An adapted 4-week EFT protocol was feasible, safe (no adverse events), and acceptable (80% adherence, 75-85% satisfaction) in RA patients with kinesiophobia; TSK-17 scores fell 6.5 points (12.7%; Hedges' g = 1.36, within-group), with moderate-to-large within-group improvements in pain and anxiety.
Fear-of-movement is a fresh, concrete use case; 'no adverse events, 80% adherence' is a strong safety talking point.
Pain and chronic-illness pages; first fear-of-movement (kinesiophobia) record.
The natural next step: a head-to-head trial against an established treatment like CBT, and a larger sample to confirm the effect.
| Design | Outcome study |
|---|---|
| Participants | 20 people |
| Population | Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis and kinesiophobia (fear of movement); registered ChiCTR2300076013 |
| Effect size | Hedges' g = 1.36 — on Kinesiophobia (TSK-17): 6.5-point (12.7%) pre-post reduction; moderate-to-large within-group effects also on pain and anxiety |
| Outcome measures | Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-17), Pain, Pain anxiety, Patient activation, Quality of life |
| Journal | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies |
| Year | 2025 |
| Country | China |
| Language | English |
| Method | EFT / Tapping |
| Publication type | Study / trial |
| Verification | ✓ Confirmed against the primary source |
You, Y. L., Ramoo, V., Yahaya, N., & et al. (2025). Adapted emotional freedom techniques (EFT) for managing kinesiophobia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a feasibility study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05118-z
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 Pain · Other Physical Conditions · Anxiety
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