Brain Changes after Emotional Freedom Techniques for Food Cravings in Overweight Adults

INTERVENTION: ‐ brain scanning in fMRI machine at pre and post the psychological intervention (functional magnetic resonance imaging) ‐ this took 30 minutes each time ‐ psychological intervention ‐ once a week for 2 hours at the university campus (for a total of 4 week ‐ so 8 hours) and it was face to face and in group delivery ‐ the brain scans were conducted by a radiology team at an imaging service; the psychological intervention was conducted by a trained counsellor in the technique with 10 years experience in group delivery Treatment protocols and fidelity plans for the EFT intervention were formed prior to the trial commencing by the chief investigator. The intervention involved a 4 week (2 hours per week) program, delivered by trained EFT practitioners who were registered counsellors with a minimum of 10 years' experience. The participants were taught the technique in a group setting and also received a manual which covered the material and gave homework tasks. It has previously be conducted and published in clinical trials and was based on standardised protocols (See Craig & Fowlie, 1995). Acupressure points on the eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, under nose, chin, collarbone, under arm, and the top of the head were used. Treatment sessions involved direct exposure to craved foods. EFT techniques were utilised by participants focusing on a specific craving and associated emotion, rating the intensity of the craving using subjective units of distress (SUDs), initiating a set‐up statement, and then completing the tapping process on the specific acupoints. The setup phrase focused on the individual’s difficulties and was expressed aloud in the group, adding a voiced statement of self‐acceptance. Full instructions and safeguards are described in Flint, Lammers and Mitnick (2005). Participants were encouraged to self‐administer EFT outside of treatment sessions in response to cravings. CONDITION: Food Cravings in overweight and obese adults Obesity PRIMARY OUTCOME: Food cravings assessed with the Food Craving Inventory To test (feasibility) if the EFT intervention results in any neural brain changes SECONDARY OUTCOME: Changes in power over food Changes in psychological symptoms Changes in restraint ability over food INCLUSION CRITERIA: The inclusion criteria were: at least 18 years of age, both genders, overweight (i.e. Body Mass Index; BMI; between 25‐29) or obese (BMI greater than 30), and not currently receiving treatment (psychological or medical) for their food cravings.