title: Epigenetic Effects of PTSD Remediation in Veterans Using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of measuring changes in gene expression associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment using emotional freedom techniques (EFT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized into an EFT group receiving EFT and treatment as usual (TAU) throughout a 10-week intervention period and a group receiving only TAU during the intervention period and then receiving EFT.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community clinic and a research institute in California.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen veterans with clinical levels of PTSD symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten hour-long sessions of EFT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Messenger RNA levels for a focused panel of 93 genes related to PTSD. The Symptom Assessment 45 questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Insomnia Severity Scale, SF-12v2 for physical impairments, and Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre-, posttreatment, and follow-up mean scores on questionnaires were assessed using repeated measures 1-way analysis of variance. A Student t test and post hoc analyses were performed on gene expression data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms declined significantly in the EFT group (-53%, P < .0001). Participants maintained their gains on follow-up. Significant differential expression of 6 genes was found ( P < .05) when comparing the expression levels before and after the intervention period in participants receiving EFT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Study results identify candidate gene expression correlates of successful PTSD treatment, providing guidelines for the design of further studies aimed at exploring the epigenetic effects of EFT.
authors: 1 National Institute for Integrative Healthcare, Fulton, CA, USA.
authors: Dawson
authors: D
authors: Church
authors: 2 Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, USA.
authors: Garret
authors: G
authors: Yount
authors: 3 California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Rachlin
authors: 4 School of Natural Sciences and Psychology, John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors: Louis
authors: L
authors: Fox
authors: 5 Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA.
authors: Jerrod
authors: J
authors: Nelms
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: EFT; PTSD; emotional freedom techniques; epigenetics; gene expression; veterans