Objective:To evaluate two treatments for insomnia, Emotional Freedom Techniques Insomnia (EFT-I) and Sleep Hygiene Education (SHE), in a geriatric population when delivered as group therapy.

Methods:Participants (N = 20) were elderly women (mean age = 80  4.75) with insomnia. They were randomized into two groups. One received SHE, and the other a form of EFT adapted for use with insomnia (EFT-I). The setting was a senior welfare center, and the interventions were delivered in a group format. Participants received eight 1-hour sessions twice a week for 4 weeks. They were assessed for insomnia severity, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction before and after treatment. Follow-ups occurred at 5 and 9 weeks posttest.

Results:EFT was superior to SHE for insomnia. The results were similar to those found in earlier studies evaluating EFT for insomnia. Neither the SHE nor the EFT group demonstrated significant improvement in anxiety or life satisfaction.

Conclusions:EFT is an effective evidence-based treatment for geriatric insomnia and depression. EFT is cost-effective, and efficacious when delivered in a group format.

Keywords: Emotional Freedom Techniques, EFT, EFT-Insomnia, geriatric, sleep hygiene education, SHE, depression.