Effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: study protocol for a multicenter, pragmatic, pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic vestibular disorder with psychological components. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to manage its emotional aspects; however, emotional freedom techniques (EFT)-which combine cognitive reframing with acupoint tapping-have shown efficacy in various psychiatric conditions. Despite its potential, EFT has not been evaluated for PPPD. This study aims to address this gap through a pragmatic clinical trial. METHODS: Thirty patients aged 19-65 years diagnosed with PPPD will be recruited from multiple centers and randomly assigned (1:1) in a blinded manner to either an intervention group or a control group. Key exclusion criteria are severe psychiatric or neurological disorders. The intervention group will receive EFT alongside conventional treatment, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, while the control group will receive conventional treatment alone. The study will last 4 to 8 weeks, comprising nine visits. All treatments will adhere to standardized protocols across centers. DISCUSSION: PPPD is associated with substantial functional and psychological burden, highlighting the need for effective non-pharmacological interventions. Given prior evidence supporting EFT in conditions involving emotional dysregulation, its application to PPPD warrants systematic evaluation. Although the sample size in this pilot trial is limited, the study is designed to assess the feasibility and potential clinical value of EFT, and its findings may serve as foundational data for future large-scale confirmatory research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea. Identifier: KCT0010114. Registered on 09 December 2024.