Title : Quantitative EEG assessment of neurophysiological changes induced by the trios therapeutic practice
Abstract:
Background: Growing interest has emerged in interventions aimed at modulating the functional state of the central nervous system through meditation- and body-oriented approaches. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) has become an important tool for investigating neurophysiological changes associated with such interventions. The present study evaluated the effects of the proprietary TRIOS practice on the functional organization of human brain networks.
Methods; Brain activity was assessed using quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). Each participant completed two experimental sessions, each lasting 20 minutes. The first session served as the control condition, while the second consisted of the proprietary TRIOS intervention. The TRIOS practice was administered by a certified therapist and integrates body-oriented therapeutic techniques with an approach that, according to the developers of the method, involves interaction with the individual's electromagnetic field. EEG recordings were obtained immediately before and after each session. Quantitative analyses included spectral power, spatial distribution of EEG rhythms, and comparison with normative age-matched databases.
Results: qEEG analysis demonstrated substantially greater neurophysiological changes following the TRIOS intervention compared with the control session. The most prominent findings included enhanced alpha-band synchronization within parietal and occipital cortical regions, reduced excessive beta-band activity in frontal areas, and an overall normalization of spatial EEG activity patterns. In contrast, the control condition produced only minor fluctuations that were consistent with normal physiological variability during resting conditions. From a neurophysiological perspective, these findings suggest that the TRIOS intervention was associated with a functional reorganization of cortical and subcortical neural networks. At the level of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; Brodmann areas 9 and 46), which plays a central role in executive function, working memory, and attentional control, reduced frontal hyperactivation may indicate decreased cognitive load and a transition toward a more energy-efficient mode of information processing. Enhanced alpha synchronization within the parietal and occipital cortices (Brodmann areas 7, 18, and 19) may reflect increased synchronization of distributed neuronal assemblies and the establishment of a relaxed yet alert brain state, a neurophysiological pattern frequently associated with meditative states.
The observed EEG changes further suggest improved thalamocortical coordination, which plays a fundamental role in generating and synchronizing cortical oscillations. More efficient communication between the thalamus and associative cortical regions may contribute to the enhanced coherence of large-scale neural activity. The distributed nature of these changes also suggests modulation of several large-scale functional brain networks. Reduced frontal hyperactivation may indicate decreased activity within the Default Mode Network (DMN), including the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus, structures commonly associated with self-referential thinking and spontaneous internal mentation. Simultaneously, increased efficiency of the Executive Control Network (ECN) may support improved attentional regulation and cognitive control, while enhanced coordination within the Salience Network (SN) may facilitate more effective switching between internally and externally directed attention. The findings may also reflect improved functional interactions between the limbic system, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and cingulate cortex, and prefrontal regulatory regions. Such changes could contribute to improved emotional regulation and enhanced central autonomic self-regulation. Overall, the observed neurophysiological changes suggest a transition from a relatively fragmented functional state toward a more integrated organization of large-scale brain networks, characterized by enhanced neural synchronization, improved functional connectivity, and more efficient interregional communication.
Conclusion: Compared with the control condition, the proprietary TRIOS intervention was associated with more pronounced reorganization of brain bioelectrical activity, characterized by increased alpha synchronization, reduced frontal hyperactivation, and evidence of improved large-scale functional connectivity. These findings suggest that the intervention may facilitate central self-regulatory mechanisms and adaptive functional reorganization of neural networks.
