Synchrony Training – Clinical UpdatesRoxana Sasu, MD, RN, OMC

EEG Institute

2 Channel Synchrony Training

Synchrony training

• Mindfulness guided by your own brainwaves

• Enhances and solidifies ILF training outcomes

• Promotes self-awareness and increased relaxation

• Increases resilience and allows for healing

0.05 Hz Synchrony

• Deeper calming effect than 10 Hz Synchrony

• More core, grounding effect, soothing

• Reorganization of core sense of self and core attachments

• Preferred starting frequency when first introducing Synchrony training

0.05 Hz Synchrony Placement

(Fz-A1)+(Pz-A2) = Fz+Pz

Inter-hemispheric or front-to-back

Synchrony Training

• Promoting inter-hemispheric synchronous activity can result in increased instability in the brain

• Front-back synchrony connects frontal and parietal hubs in the DMN (default mode network)

• Front-back midline synchrony training is less destabilizing, therefore preferred for those with significant instabilities

0.05 Hz Synchrony Indications

• Broad applicability: attachment issues at any age

• PTSD, early trauma, attachment problems, core sense of self, social anxiety

• Can result in profound shifts that may require re-optimization of ILF HD protocols

Frequency adjustments in

Synchrony training

• Following the same rules as in ILF training, based on high arousal/low arousal indicators

• Adjustments to 0.05 Hz and 10 Hz training frequency (up or down) might be needed and yield better results

• After successfully implementing 0.05 Hz Synchrony training, a need for readjusting the OTF in ILF HD might emerge

Alpha 10 Hz Synchrony Indications

• Calm focus

• Anxiety, OCD, tics, agitation, type A

• Great need for calming to improve overall function

• 40 Hz may be agitating

Electrode placements

for 10Hz

Synchrony

• Fz+Pz 10Hz• P3+P4 10Hz• O1+O2 10Hz • Pz+Oz 10Hz

• Ground electrode on Cz• References (linked through jumper) on mastoid or

on earlobe on each side

10 Hz Synchrony Placements

(Pz-A1)+(Oz-A2) = Pz+Oz (P3-A1)+(P4-A2) = P3+P4 (O1-A1)+(O2-A2) = O1+O2

Gamma 40 Hz Synchrony Indications

• More alert focus

• ADD, when 10 Hz is sedating or dysregulating

• Dementia prevention

• Not good for agitation or anxiety

Electrode placements

for 40Hz

Synchrony

• Fp1+Fp2 40 Hz• Fz+Fpz 40 Hz

• Ground electrode on Cz• References (linked through jumper) on mastoid or

on earlobe on each side

40 Hz Synchrony Placements(Fz-A1)+(Fpz-A2) = Fz+Fpz(Fp1-A1)+(Fp2-A2) = Fp1+Fp2

Midline Synchrony

Training

Training Sequence for 3 frequency bands:

1. Pz+Oz 10 Hz2. Fz+Pz 0.05 Hz3. Fz+Fpz 40 Hz

Synchrony Training

Indications

• After ILF protocols have been established

• After symptoms of instability have been resolved or significantly reduced

• When promoting more calmness and relaxation is needed

• Before AT to test tolerance to synchronous activity being promoted across the brain

When not ready for

Synchrony

• Instabilities may be triggered when enhancing synchronous EEG activity with Synchrony training

• Less likely to happen with midline placements than with inter-hemispheric placements

• Return to ILF training until more stable

• Increase in agitation with Synchrony training, might indicate a need for frequency optimization to lower setting in Synchrony (0.05 and 10 Hz only)

Case study #1:19 years old maleBipolar Disorder – ILF HD and Synchrony Training

Case study #1:Dx: Bipolar Disorder

Presenting Symptoms: • social anxiety

• depression (worse when isolated or bored)• thrill seeking, suicidal thoughts• emotional reactivity, anger, aggressiveness

• fear of trusting others• nightmares, muscle tension• headaches

• tinnitus, dizzy spells

Developmental and Trauma History:

• long and ugly custody battle • speech therapy in kindergarten

Genetic History:• depression, bipolar, anxiety, seizures

Case Study #1:

Treatment Plan:To start:• T4-P4: trauma, anxiety, nightmares, muscle tension, chronic depression

and• T3-T4: headaches, dizziness, sleep apnea, tinnitus

• T4-Fp2: emotional reactivity, anger, aggressiveness, suicidal thoughts, thrill seeking, fears, self-control, social anxiety

• T3-Fp1: word finding, short-term memory deficits, negative thoughts• Synchrony: additional calming• Alpha-Theta: resolution of trauma

Case Study #1:

• Initially optimized at 0.065mHz (T4-P4, T4-Fp2, T3-T4)

• 31 ILF sessions over the course of over one year, while undergoing several medication changes and adjustments

• Abilify, Lamictal, Latuda and Wellbutrin

• Re-optimized protocol 0.003mHz (T4-P4, T4-Fp2, T3-T4)

• Need for more calming and also in preparation for Alpha-Theta, 0.05mHz Synchrony was introduced after 31 sessions

• 15’ Synchrony Fz+Pz 0.05 Hz + 15’ T3-T4 0.003 mHz

Protocols and clinical outcomesCase Study #1:

• 15’ Fz+Pz 0.05 Hz + 15’ T3-T4 More motivated, better sleep

• 15’ Fz+Pz 0.04 Hz + 15’ T3-T4 Happy, more relaxed, no jaw tension

• 15’ Fz+Pz 0.03 Hz + 15’ T3-T4 More happy and more optimistic

• 15’ Fz+Pz 0.02 Hz + 15’ T3-T4 Heavy euphoria, better than higher frequency

• 20’ Fz+Pz 0.01 Hz + 10’ T3-T4 More focused calming effect, mind not preoccupied with just one thought

• Latest protocol updates include 30’ Synchrony sessions alternated with 30’ ILF HD sessions

QIKtest #1 Baseline

QIKtest #2 60 sessions

Pre-Post QIKtest DataCase Study #1

Case study #2:61 years old male Autoimmune Disorders – ILF HD and Synchrony Training

Case study #2:Dx: autoimmune disorders:

scleroderma rheumatoid arthritis

Presenting Symptoms:• fatigue, muscle pain• difficulty falling back to sleep• rashes• anxiety and worries• anger• panic attacks• tinnitus , sugar craving• headaches – with medication• sleep apnea• significant weight loss, poor appetite awareness

Developmental and Trauma History:• parents WWII survivors, not warm and loving• fearful as a child, resorted to drugs later• fell and hit head on ice

Genetic History:• bipolar, anxiety, panic, eating disorders

Case study #2:

Treatment Plan: To start:• T3-T4: immune function, headaches, panic, sleep apnea, arthritis, sugar cravings,

tinnitusand

• T4-P4: anxiety, appetite awareness, balance

• T4-Fp2: developmental trauma, emotional reactivity• T3-Fp1: as needed for attention, motivation • 0.05 Synchrony: calming, developmental trauma• Alpha-Theta: resolution of trauma

Case study #2Protocol development

• Sessions 1-4: T3-T4 and T4-P4 optimizing 0.03mHz• Sessions 5-6: T4-P4, T4-Fp2 and T3-T4 0.03 mHz• Session 7: more agitated, dropped T4-Fp2, confirmed OTF 0.03mHz• Session 8: 0.05 Synchrony + T3-T4 - insomnia, more agitated, more reactive, more tinnitus• Sessions 9-14: re-optimized 0.025mHz, when 0.03mHz was too agitating after Synchrony• Session 15: 0.05 Synchrony - hugely calming, “is this really me?”, as week-long vacation in Hawaii• Sessions 16-21: re-optimizing to 0.02mHz, when 0.025mHz was too agitating after Synchrony• Session 22: 0.05 Synchrony – more agitated• Session 23: re-optimized to 0.015mHz, when 0.02mHz was too agitating after Synchrony• Session 25: 0.05 Synchrony – less fatigued, good energy level• Sessions 26-32: re-optimizing to 0.012mHz• Session 33: midline 3 frequencies Synchrony progression – disrupted sleep, more tinnitus, headache• Sessions 34-40: re-optimized to 0.01mHz

Case study #2:

After first 20 sessions:• less reactivity, much less anger• no headaches• muscle pain significantly reduced• fatigue significantly reduced – now 11/2 -2 hour walks• scleroderma symptoms reduced (65% better)• arthritis pain significantly reduced• health worries and fears reduced• no panic attacks• weight now stabilized – normal weight for age

Pre-Post QIKtest DataCase Study #2

QIKtest #1 Baseline

QIKtest #2 20 sessions

Case study #3:63 years old maleDepersonalization, Eating Disorder – ILF HD, Synchrony and Alpha-Theta Training

Case study #3:

Presenting Symptoms:• depersonalization, poor body awareness• anxiety: obsessive worries, agitation, dizzy

spells• panic, migraines• depression• emotional reactivity, anger, fears• poor appetite awareness• eczema, joint pain• difficulty shifting attention

Developmental and Trauma History:• abusive mother, father alcoholic• binge eating (past)

Genetic History: • bipolar, rage, anxiety, alcohol addiction,

OCD

Case study #3:

Treatment Plan:• T3-T4: migraines, panic, dizziness, joint pain, eczema, depersonalization

and• T4-P4: trauma, eating disorder, body awareness, appetite awareness

• T4-Fp2: emotional reactivity, fears, anger• T3-Fp1: executive function• T3-P3: light sensitivity• Synchrony: additional calming• Alpha-Theta: resolution of trauma

Case study #3:

After first 20 sessions: • increased awareness• less reactive• no agitation• easier emotions• more aware of depersonalization

Session 25: Alpha-theta• no obvious shift• later tried theta frequency adjustment to 6 Hz for deeper experience – not better,

7Hz/10Hz AT felt deeper

Session 65: Synchrony 0.05 Hz• No obvious shift but liked the calming effect

Pre-Post QIKtest DataCase Study #3

QIKtest #1 Baseline

QIKtest #2 20 sessions

Case study #3:• ILF 0.001 + Synchrony midline 3 frequencies +AT

• Then re-optimized ILF – 0.0001mHz: • Lighter mood, feeling more, more aware of emotions• More in tune with himself, more in his body – scary at times• Memories from childhood surfacing – increased anxiety but not traumatic• AT to allow processing – uneventful• Racing thoughts more recently

• Then re-optimized 0.05 Synchrony to 0.01 Hz:• Blissful states with synchrony now• Happier and also aware of other emotions, sadness• “kind of wonderful”• Pz+Fpz instead of Pz+Fz – bad experience

• Currently alternating between 0.01 Synchrony sessions, AT sessions and 0.0001 ILF with 3 or 4 basic sites

Conclusions

• ILF Synchrony training used much more than other frequency bands

• ILF Synchrony provides stronger calming effects and fewer negative reactions than Alpha and Gamma Synchrony

• ILF Synchrony frequency adjustments (upwards or downwards) yield better effects in some clients.

• Adding ILF Synchrony has helped fine-tune ILF HD protocol in some clients.

Couple’s Synchrony TrainingCouple’s Synchrony Training

Couple’s Synchrony Training - Setup