title: Anxiety and Anger Symptoms in Hwabyung Patients Improved More following 4 Weeks of the Emotional Freedom Technique Program Compared to the Progressive Muscle Relaxation Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: Background. The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a meridian-based psychological therapy. The present clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of EFT as a new treatment option for Hwabyung (HB) patients experiencing anger and compares the efficacy to the Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), the conventional meditation technique. Methods. The EFT and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) methods were performed on 27 HB patients, and their capacities to alleviate anxiety, anger, and emotional status were compared. After a 4-week program, a survey was conducted; patients then completed a self-training program for 4 weeks, followed by a second survey. Results. During the initial 4 weeks, the EFT group experienced a significant decrease in the HB symptom scale, anger state, and paranoia ideation (p < 0.05). Over the entire 9-week interval, there were significant decreases in the HB symptom scale, anxiety state, anger state, anger trait, somatization, anxiety, hostility, and so on in EFT group (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The EFT group showed improved psychological symptoms and physical symptoms greater than those observed in the PMR group. EFT more effectively alleviated HB symptoms compared to PMR. EFT group showed better maintenance during self-training, suggesting good model of self-control treatment in HB patients.
authors.affiliation: Sungmo-maum Oriental Clinic, 239-53 Muk-dong, Jungnang-gu, Seoul 131-852, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Psychiatry, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital, 149 Sangil-Dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 134-837, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Psychiatry, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital, 149 Sangil-Dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 134-837, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Hyeminseo Oriental Clinic, 217-8 Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul 142-810, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Oriental Psychiatry, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital, 149 Sangil-Dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 134-837, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim