Long Term Weight Loss Is Possible

July 2, 2013 - PRLog -- To schedule an interview with Dr. Dawson Church, contact: Jennifer Ellis
(619) 713-6756 or JenniferEllis706@aol.com

Long Term Weight Loss is Possible
Studies Show Novel Therapy Produces Significant Results

A novel technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) shows promise for long-term weight loss. Two studies have now examined subjects who complete an EFT weight loss program, and both found that they continued to lose weight even after the program ended. This result is unusual in that other research on dieters has found that within two years, most regain the weight they have lost. This phenomenon did not occur in the EFT groups.

In a randomized controlled trial performed by psychologist Peta Stapleton at Griffith University in Australia, participants lost 11 lb in the year following the EFT course. The second study examined participants in an online EFT program called Skinny Genes. They lost an average of 12 lb during the 6 week program and a further 3 lb in the next six months, indicating ongoing maintenance of their improvements.

EFT is a simple behavioral therapy that combines elements of cognitive and exposure therapy with acupressure. The application of EFT is described in the book “EFT for Weight Loss” by Dawson Church, PhD, of the National Institute for Integrative Medicine, who conducted the second study. In the book, he summarizes research into the six characteristics of people who keep weight off successfully, and how EFT is applied to achieve this goal.

Stapleton and Church expanded their research to examine the mental health of people using EFT for weight loss, and found significant improvements in their level of depression. Those completing the online Skinny Genes program also showed improvements in anxiety and other psychological disorders.

“Having an effective therapy for obesity and overweight that can be delivered online is an important step,” says Church. “The ability of participants to access these tools when and where they’re having eating problems, even when there’s no therapist available, extends the reach of a therapy. This can make a real difference in its effectiveness.” Further research on EFT and weight loss is ongoing, with a replication of Church and Stapleton’s work being conducted by an independent university research team.

References:

Book:  EFT for Weight Loss

Studies:

Church, D. & Wilde, N. (2013). Emotional eating and weight loss following Skinny Genes, a six week online program. Reported at the annual conference of ACEP, the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, May.

Stapleton, P., Church, D., Sheldon, T., Porter, B., & Carlopio, C. (2013). Depression symptoms improve after successful weight loss with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): A randomized controlled trial. ISDN Psychiatry. In press.

Stapleton, P. B., Sheldon, T., & Porter, B. (2012).  Clinical benefits of Emotional Freedom Techniques on food cravings at 12-months follow-up: A randomized controlled trial. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 4(1), 1-12.

For more information visit the EFT research bibliography at: http://www.eftuniverse.com/