Studying Emotional Freedom Techniques EFT to Help Smokers Who Struggle to Quit Compared to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT in a Smoking Cessation Program

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques EFT on smokers who have struggled to quit through the NHS smoking cessation program. This early phase trial focuses on clients with high anxiety, strong cravings, or low confidence in quitting, aiming to see if EFT can improve quit rates in this challenging group compared to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT. Participants receive either CBT, which works by changing negative thoughts about quitting, or EFT, a brief stress-reduction method combining exposure, cognitive restructuring, and physical stimulation. The trial compares these two behavioral approaches to help participants quit smoking. During the study, researchers will measure quit rates throughout the treatment period and assess psychological and physical symptoms at 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention. The trial includes participants aged 12 to 99, and all NHS clients meeting the criteria may join. The study started in 2009 and will continue collecting data until the end of 2027.

The Effect of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) in Smokers Failing a Smoking Cessation Program