TITLE:
Measuring the Effect of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Treatment for Depression Using a Seed Bioassay: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AUTHORS:
Dawson Church
KEYWORDS:
Bioassay, Depression, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Germination, Biomarker, Healing Energy, Biofield
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.14 No.11,
November
21,
2023
ABSTRACT: Objective: Bioassays are used to investigate the effect of
mechanisms of action, such as human intention and mood, on living organisms.
This study examined the effect of depression using a seed bioassay as an
objective biomarker. Design: Sixty Clemson spineless okra seeds were
randomly assigned to three equal groups. Group one provided an untreated
control. Group two was attached to a clipboard held for 15 minutes by a 42-year-old female patient with major
depressive disorder while completing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Group
three was held while the BDI was readministered following a 2-hour treatment session using an evidence-based modality, Emotional Freedom Techniques (Clinical EFT). BDI scores improved, going from a
pre value of 20 (the clinical cutoff for “moderate” depression) to 3 (“minimal”
depression). The three groups of seeds (n = 20 each) were germinated blind. The
number of seeds to germinate and produce visible root hairs was assessed by an
independent observer at 12-hour intervals across 72 hours. Results: In
the control group, 18 seeds germinated, and of those, four developed visible
root hairs. In the pretreatment group, 15 germinated and four evidenced hairs.
In the posttreatment group, all but one germinated and 14 developed hairs. Seed
germination was greatest in the seeds exposed to the client following EFT
treatment and a significant pre/post difference was observed (p = .042). Root hair growth in the
posttreatment group was significantly higher than the control (p p Conclusion: Seed
viability appears sensitive to human mood. Consistent with the published
literature, the results suggested that human emotions affect seeds through
proximity. Possible mechanisms of action to explain the observed effects may
include electromagnetic field fluctuations associated with mood and
conventionally measured with fMRI. The findings support the use of simple seed
bioassays as objective biomarkers to examine the treatment effects of healing
therapies.