title: The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotional Freedom Techniques in Reducing Depression and Anxiety Among Adults: A Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The World Health Organization (WHO) places major depressive disorder (MDD), or depression, as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. Some studies have found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents the most superior approach in treating mild to severe symptoms. Recent literature has indicated a number of limitations to this therapeutic approach. An approach that has received increasing attention within the literature is the emotional freedom technique (EFT).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current pilot study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT and EFT in the treatment of depression and comorbid anxiety.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research team designed a pilot study structured as a randomized, controlled trial with 2 intervention arms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study took place at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 10) were local community members who had screened positive for a primary diagnosis of MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to an 8-wk CBT or EFT treatment program, the intervention groups. A sample of individuals from the community was assessed for comparative purposes (control group) (n = 57).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and postintervention, all participants were interviewed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 6.0, and they completed the following validated questionnaires: (1) the Beck Depression Inventory, second edition (BDI-2) and (2) the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings revealed that both treatment approaches produced significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with the CBT group reporting a significant reduction postintervention, which was not maintained with time. The EFT group reported a delayed effect involving a significant reduction in symptoms at the 3- and 6-mo follow-ups only. Examination of the individual cases revealed clinically significant improvements in anxiety across both interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the findings provide evidence to suggest that EFT might be an effective treatment strategy worthy of further investigation.
authors.affiliation: , mc lin p sych, is a senior research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. , p h d , is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , eft p ractitioner, is the director and a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms in Gold Coast, Queensland. , mc lin p sych, is a research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , ba ( h ons), is a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chatwin
authors.affiliation: , mc lin p sych, is a senior research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. , p h d , is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , eft p ractitioner, is the director and a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms in Gold Coast, Queensland. , mc lin p sych, is a research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , ba ( h ons), is a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms.
authors.forename: Peta
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.affiliation: , mc lin p sych, is a senior research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. , p h d , is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , eft p ractitioner, is the director and a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms in Gold Coast, Queensland. , mc lin p sych, is a research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , ba ( h ons), is a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms.
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.affiliation: , mc lin p sych, is a senior research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. , p h d , is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , eft p ractitioner, is the director and a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms in Gold Coast, Queensland. , mc lin p sych, is a research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , ba ( h ons), is a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.affiliation: , mc lin p sych, is a senior research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. , p h d , is an assistant professor in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , eft p ractitioner, is the director and a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms in Gold Coast, Queensland. , mc lin p sych, is a research assistant in the School of Psychology at Bond University. , ba ( h ons), is a therapist at the Lakeside Rooms.
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sheldon