A pilot study by Gregory Brown and colleagues and published in the journal Energy Psychology looked at using Advanced Integrative Therapy, or AIT, to clear negative emotions related to past trauma. This is the first formal academic research on AIT! 

The study, Therapists’ Observations in Reduction of Unpleasant Emotions Following Advanced Integrative Therapy Interventions, found that the subjective units of distress (SUD) decreased from an average of 8.3 out of ten down to a zero or one, in just one session of AIT. 

The theory of AIT

Research on energy psychology techniques has grown over the past decades, with most studies focused on meridian tapping treatments like Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Thought Field Therapy (TFT). AIT is a chakra- and language-based technique. This pilot study is the first to explore the effectiveness of AIT. 

In AIT, the theory is that when we have longstanding patterns of negative emotions, they usually stem from an originating event, probably during childhood. Then the negative pattern is entrenched by some reinforcing events. All that leads up to present-day suffering.

In order to clear these patterns and the suffering they cause, clinicians guide clients in creating statements about the problem. Then, they repeat the problem statement while placing their hands on various points that correspond to the major chakras, down the midline of the body. By going through this process, the problem becomes deactivated, and the subjective distress is resolved. 

The study setup

The pilot study was a cross-sectional survey design using clinician data and observation. All participating clinicians were experienced or expert in using AIT. These clinicians, from all around the world, completed a 17-question web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed SUDs, somatic sensation, and emotion.

Results of this research

There were 76 completed surveys included in the study. Participating clinicians were physicians and licensed mental health providers. They used their charts to complete the survey questions. 

Emotions addressed included anxiety, sadness, fear, anger, shame, and helplessness. Seventy-seven percent of cases worked on patterns rather than single events. Seventy-five percent of the issues addressed were chronic.

Because of the nature of the study, it is not possible to determine causation. However, the clinicians reported a drop in SUDs from 8.3 to 0 or 1 in 92% of cases. 

Why this study matters

This study does not allow us to draw big conclusions about cause-and-effect. However, clinicians reported an impressive drop in the SUD rating after just one “round” or treatment with AIT. The results seem to warrant further investigation. The results are an auspicious beginning to research on AIT. We can consider this a “win” for AIT and for energy psychology! 

Want to learn more?

You can keep tabs on research about energy psychology by following our research page. Interested in taking a deeper dive into energy psychology? We will launch our Comprehensive Energy Psychology course next summer! Or you can sign up for our Emotional Freedom Techniques Professional Skills training now.

Author

Sarah Murphy, NCC, LPC, serves on ACEP’s board and as the chair of ACEP’s communications committee. She has a private practice. Sarah also works as staff counselor for Unite for HER, where she provides counseling for clients who have cancer. 

Photo by Ashley Batz on Unsplash