Bond University psychology students will this week become Australia’s first to undertake a subject including ‘psychological acupuncture’ as part of their degree.
For the past 15 years, Associate Professor Peta Stapleton has been researching the practice of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). It involves tapping different acupuncture points on the face or body as a treatment for mental and physical conditions including eating issues, chronic pain and quitting smoking.
The only other university which currently includes EFT training is in Paris.
The compelling results from her world-leading research have seen the practice accepted as a treatment under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It’s also currently being examined by the American Psychological Association, a move which could ultimately see the practice included as an evidence-based treatment under Medicare.
“The research has already made a real impact at the ground level, with EFT accepted by US and UK medical authorities accepting it as a legitimate treatment,” Dr Stapleton said.
“If the American Psychological Association accepts there's enough research on EFT, it could be included under Medicare, which will make the treatment more accessible and take EFT into the mainstream.”
Dr Stapleton said the technique is designed to target the neural pathways of the brain.
“We've been researching it for food cravings and emotional eating – and more recently for chronic pain management.” she said.
“We've been able to show that when you reduce the stress response in the body through this technique, you get lots of other flow-on positive effects. In the food area, that includes weight loss, and with chronic pain, it includes being able to reduce medication.”
The research shows that tapping changes the brain’s response to emotional and physical stimulus leading to visible changes which can be seen in MRI scans. In trials, the evidence shows that food cravings can be eliminated leading to lasting health, social and economic benefits.
The new subject starts this week with 20 Masters of Clinical Psychology students.
It will cover the application of EFT to stress reduction and trauma processing, enabling students to take the technique out into the field.
“Our students will be able to use the technique with clients when they go into the field on their placements,” she said.
“It’s a testament to the innovative spirit of Bond University that we’ve had such strong support for this new subject and become a world-leader in this area.”