Formal University & Corporate Research Studies on Tholáge®
Study 1–Pilot Study on Tholáge®
Pilot Study, 2022
Eye-Movement-and-Somatic Protocol of Tholáge® (Access Protocol only)
Eye-Movement-and-Somatic Protocol of Tholáge® (Access Protocol only)
Data collected at and analyzed by: the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. PI Dr. Gina Martin.
Large effect sizes were found in the pilot study on Tholáge® (n=14) in treating depression, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (.61), and in improving emotion regulation, using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (.64). These results indicate Tholáge was efficacious, after just 2 treatments.
Study 2–Multi-University Clinical Trial on Tholáge®
Study #2, 2023-24
Eye-Movement-and-Somatic Protocol of Tholáge® (Access Protocol only)
Eye-Movement-and-Somatic Protocol of Tholáge® (Access Protocol only)
Data collected by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; PI Dr. Gina Martin; data analyzed by Wayne State University.
Large effect sizes were again found in this larger study of Tholáge® (n = 63), using Beck Depression Inventory (.25), Beck Anxiety Inventory (.22), Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (.21), Modified PTSD Symptom Scale–Self Report (Frequency, .25; Severity, .24). These results indicate Tholáge® was efficacious, after just 2 treatments.
Study 3–Neuroimaging Observation on Tholáge®
GE HealthCare Global Headquarters IRB Observation (2024)
Small, Neuroimaging Observation of Eye-Movement Protocol of Tholáge (Access Protocol only)
The human subject, who was inside an fMRI machine, lifted their eyes to 60° up for 10 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of neutral/looking straight ahead—a pattern that was repeated continuously for several minutes. Though the locus coeruleus (LC) and amygdalae were too small to be seen with the level of resolution being used in this small IRB-approved observation, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) lit up every time the subject lifted their eyes up, all of which was exactly as Matsuo et al. (2015) found in their study of “upgazes.” Activation of the vmPFC also indicates activation of the amygdala, also as Matsuo and team found.
Study 4–Clinical Trial on Tholáge®
Northern Illinois University (and a private practice acting “blindly”) (2026, in-progress)
Both Protocols of Tholáge (Access and Attachment Protocols)
PI Deanna Chrones
Clinicians at a private practice in the Midwest have been trained, and numerous clinicians across the country are being trained for a current study on the addition of ASMR to the protocol that has already been studied twice. Data collection will occur from Fall 2026 to Spring 2027.
Study 5 (in Planning Stages)
Wayne State University & Tree of Life Counseling Services (Planned for 2026)
Study on Full Treatment of Tholáge® (Access & Attachment Protocols, Including ASMR)
PI Dr. Thomas Michalos
Plans are being made at Wayne State University to study both treatment protocols of Tholáge®, the Access Protocol (eye-movement-and somatic release) and the Attachment Protocol (including novel ASMR exercises that mimic the center of the Window of Tolerance). This will expand the study design of previous studies to include an important part of Tholage, the ground-breaking new techniques for initiating ASMR, which existing research shows should be used in psychotherapeutic treatments.
