EFT for Cancer-related Anxiety and Depression

Overseen By Deburah Tribbey

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: Soul Medicine Institute

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 8 weeks

14 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial teaches cholangiocarcinoma patients a technique called EFT through online coaching to help reduce anxiety and depression. The study aims to see if this method can improve their mental health and quality of life. Participants' symptoms are measured at different stages of the coaching process. EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has been studied as a treatment for anxiety, depression, and stress in various populations, including nursing students and individuals with chronic conditions.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue them, but it's best to confirm with the trial organizers.

Is Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) safe for humans?

Research on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for various conditions, including depression and anxiety, suggests it is generally safe for humans. No significant safety concerns have been reported in studies involving EFT. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the treatment Lifestyle Counseling with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) unique for cancer-related anxiety and depression?

Lifestyle Counseling with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is unique because it combines lifestyle advice with a technique that involves tapping on specific points on the body while focusing on emotional issues, which is different from other treatments like guided imagery or art therapy that focus on visualization or creative expression. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Lifestyle Counseling with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) for cancer-related anxiety and depression?

Research shows that psychological treatments, including structured counseling and behavioral interventions, can effectively reduce depression and anxiety in cancer patients. Additionally, mind-body therapies, which include techniques like EFT, are commonly used by cancer patients and are associated with improved emotional well-being. ^{6 11 12 13 14}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dawson Church, PhD

Principal Investigator

Soul Medicine Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile duct cancer. Participants must be able to fill out forms and attend coaching sessions over the phone. There are no specific exclusion criteria listed, so it's open to individuals who meet the inclusion conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Ability to complete forms and attend phone coaching sessions

I have been diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Treatment

Participants receive EFT coaching through telephone and internet group sessions

8 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in psychological symptoms, pain, and insomnia

1 year

Follow-ups at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lifestyle Counseling with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

Trial Overview The study tests if Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), taught through phone and internet group sessions, can reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients. It includes assessments before, during, and up to one year after EFT coaching using various psychological and quality of life scales.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Lifestyle Counseling with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Soul Medicine Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

12

Recruited

650+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) show significant effectiveness in treating PTSD, with large effect sizes (1.38 to 2.51) when compared to waitlist or no treatment controls, based on a systematic review of six randomized clinical trials.

When compared to other active therapies, EFT produced similar treatment results, indicating it can be an effective alternative or complement to established evidence-based therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional freedom techniques for treating post traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Stapleton, P., Kip, K., Church, D., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 81 participants at EFT workshops, significant reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms were observed, indicating that Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can effectively alleviate psychological distress.

Participants maintained their improvements for six months after treatment, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of EFT, with a moderate treatment effect size for PTSD (Cohen's d = 0.54).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Borrowing Benefits: Group Treatment With Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Is Associated With Simultaneous Reductions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms. Church, D., House, D.[2019]

An eight-lesson internet-delivered CBT program for anxiety and depression in early-stage cancer patients received high acceptability from participants, indicating it is user-friendly and engaging.

Participants supported the idea of combining resources for anxiety and depression, but suggested that a separate course should be developed for those with advanced-stage cancer, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acceptability of an internet cognitive behavioural therapy program for people with early-stage cancer and cancer survivors with depression and/or anxiety: thematic findings from focus groups. Karageorge, A., Murphy, MJ., Newby, JM., et al.[2018]

Guided imagery, used for 20 minutes daily over one week, significantly reduced anxiety and depression in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy compared to a control group.

Patients who practiced guided imagery also reported improvements in side effects related to chemotherapy, particularly in pain, insomnia, appetite, and nausea.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Guided Imagery: Reducing Anxiety, Depression, and Selected Side Effects Associated With Chemotherapy. Mahdizadeh, MJ., Tirgari, B., Abadi, OSRR., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advising patients who seek complementary and alternative medical therapies for cancer. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of emotional processing in art therapy (REPAT) for breast cancer patients. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient activation, self-efficacy and usage of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnotherapy in radiotherapy patients: a randomized trial. [2006]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of psychological treatment on cancer patients: a critical review. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing the effect of emotional freedom technique on sleep quality and happiness of women undergoing breast cancer surgery in military and nonmilitary families: A quasi-experimental multicenter study. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief group intervention using emotional freedom techniques for depression in college students: a randomized controlled trial. [2021]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotional freedom techniques for treating post traumatic stress disorder: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skinny Genes' Six-week, Online, Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Program: Durable Weight Loss and Improved Psychological Symptoms. [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Borrowing Benefits: Group Treatment With Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques Is Associated With Simultaneous Reductions in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms. [2019]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrative Oncology Care of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Cancer: Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO Guideline. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating an engaging and coach-assisted online cognitive behavioral therapy for depression among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A pilot feasibility trial. [2023]

13. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acceptability of an internet cognitive behavioural therapy program for people with early-stage cancer and cancer survivors with depression and/or anxiety: thematic findings from focus groups. [2018]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Guided Imagery: Reducing Anxiety, Depression, and Selected Side Effects Associated With Chemotherapy. [2020]