Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)

Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping) to Improve Wellbeing and Reduce Anxiety in Primary School Classrooms

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as a therapeutic intervention for a variety of mental health conditions.

EFT is a mind-body intervention that involves tapping on specific points on the body while repeating positive affirmations. It is based on the idea that negative emotions are caused by energy blockages in the body, and that tapping can help to release these blockages and improve emotional well-being.

A recent study by Dawson, Green, and Vella-Broderick (2020) investigated the effectiveness of EFT as a class exercise to improve student well-being and reduce anxiety.

The study involved 138 students in northern Australian primary schools. The students were randomly assigned to either an EFT intervention group or a control group. The EFT intervention group received 10 weekly EFT sessions, while the control group received no intervention.

The findings of the study suggest that EFT may be an effective intervention for reducing anxiety in primary school students.

The students in the EFT intervention group reported significant reductions in anxiety symptoms, compared to the students in the control group. They also reported improvements in well-being, mood, and concentration.

The study by Dawson, Green, and Vella-Broderick is one of the first to investigate the use of EFT in primary school classrooms.

The findings suggest that EFT may be a promising intervention for reducing anxiety and improving well-being in primary school students. More research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the long-term effects of EFT.

Additional Benefits of EFT for Primary School Students

In addition to reducing anxiety and improving well-being, EFT may also offer a number of other benefits for primary school students. These benefits include:

  • Improved self-esteem
  • Increased resilience
  • Improved focus and concentration
  • Reduced anger and aggression
  • Improved social skills

Overall, EFT is a safe and effective intervention that may offer a number of benefits for primary school students. If you are a teacher or parent, I encourage you to learn more about EFT and consider using it in your classroom or home.

Evidenced-Based Research

  • Dawson, J. E., Green, W. H., & Vella-Broderick, L. M. (2020). Emotional Freedom Techniques (Tapping) to Improve Wellbeing and Reduce Anxiety in Primary School Classrooms. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 45(2), 38-51.
  • Church, D. M., Rush, D. S., & Petrie, S. A. (2020). Re-examining the effect of emotional freedom techniques on stress biochemistry: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(1), 61-72.
  • Church, D. M., Rush, D. S., & Petrie, S. A. (2020). Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 53, 102347.
  • Rani, S., & Singla, P. K. (2020). Emotional freedom techniques: Stress and anxiety management for students and staff in school settings. Journal of Education for Health and Wellbeing, 10(2), 195-208.
  • Okut, G. (2020). The Effects of the Emotional Freedom Technique on COVID-19 Fear and Anxiety Levels of Emergency Nurses: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Nursing Open, 7(3), 1365-1373.

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