TY  - JOUR
AU  - Buchan, Craig
AU  - MItchell, Ian
AU  - McGrath, Yasmin
AU  - Gorton, Paul
AU  - Carter, Brett
AU  - Stapleton, Peta
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/02/15
TI  - An Initial Investigation of Neural Changes in Overweight Adults with Food Cravings after Emotional Freedom Techniques
JO  - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
SP  - 010
VL  - 04
IS  - 01
AB  - Background: This pilot randomised clinical trial investigated the effect of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on brain activation in response to food craving stimuli using functional magnetic resonance imaging. EFT is a brief stress reduction technique which involves stating a cognitive statement with stimulation of acupressure points with a tapping technique. Method: Fifteen overweight/obese adults were allocated to a four-week group EFT treatment or control condition and completed a measure of food craving. Random repeating images of high-calorie food designed to engage parts of the brain were presented during the pre and post fMRI scans. Results: The Group x Time interaction for food cravings were significant for the EFT group when compared to the controls. Participant mean scores decreased by 18% for the EFT group and 5% for the control group. Brain activity was mapped using fMRI measures, and there was relative deactivation in the Superior Temporal Gyrus and lateral orbito-frontal cortex for the EFT treatment group only. The control group however, showed continued activation in these areas. Conclusion: The findings indicated EFT may decrease limbic region brain activity and reduce food related symptoms in overweight/obese individuals. This study also illuminates the neurological mechanisms at work behind the many successful outcome studies of EFT for weight loss. Recommendations for more comprehensive trials are discussed.
SN  - 2573-4393
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.1901010
DO  - 10.21926/obm.icm.1901010
ID  - Buchan2019
ER  -