Six-Month Follow-Up Comparing AIT and EFT in the Reduction of Negative Emotions Associated with a Past Memory

Abstract

Statistics have shown that about sixty percent of individuals with psychiatric illness do not respond adequately to standard treatments, yet only 1% of research studies are focused on developing new therapeutic strategies for these patients ( McIntyre et al., 2023 ). This study investigated the long-term efficacy of Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT) as compared to Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), specifically evaluating the durability of the resolution of emotional distress tied to a single memory six months post-treatment. The study began with 72 participants: and 51 completed a follow-up survey, resulting in a response rate of 70.8%. The sample was predominantly female (65%), non-Hispanic (80%), and employed (84%). Demographically, over 40% identified as White, 29.4% as Asian, 9.8% as Black, and 9.8% as “other” racial backgrounds. Of those surveyed, 43 participants (84.3%) accurately recalled which treatment group they were assigned to, with 28 (65%) in the EFT group and 15 (35%) in the AIT group. At the six-month follow-up, the study found no significant differences in Subjective Units of Distress (SUD) scores between the two groups (1.7 ± 0.5 for AIT vs. 1.3 ± 0.6 for EFT, p = 0.1), suggesting that both therapies are equally effective in producing a durable reduction in reducing emotional distress over time. Both groups maintained low SUD scores (78.6% in AIT vs. 60.0% in EFT, p > 0.05). Historical SUD scores were not significantly different as well (1.03 ± 1.10 vs. 1.29 ± 0.71, p = 0.2), further supporting an equivalent efficacy between the interventions.