What is a qEEG?
You wouldn’t let a doctor operate on a broken leg, without doing an x-ray. Or take chronic medication without getting your blood tested. The same principle applies when diagnosing brain-based disorders.
The Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) allows us to view the rhythms and waves taking place inside the brain, pinpointing where any unbalances or irregularities are which can be related to neurological disorders or injuries, learning difficulties, emotional disorders, behavioral difficulties and/ or sleep abnormalities. The resulting brain map is used to identify how any unbalances are affecting your daily life, and which interventions are best suited to correct and improve brainwave activity, and therefore functioning, in a wide range of areas.
The qEEG can be used to identify dysfunctional brain wave patterns associated with:
- ADD and ADHD
- Developmental delays
- Dyslexia types
- Auditory processing difficulties
- Visual processing difficulties
- Emotional and/ or behavioural disturbances
- Brain injuries
- Sleep abnormalities
- Anxiety
Please note that qEEG results can be used to aid in the diagnosis of conditions by the appropriate professionals as outlined by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Reports and feedback provided merely represent a summary of results found and does not qualify as a diagnosis.
FAQs about the qEEG
First, a cap (much like a swimming cap) is placed on your head which contains small electrodes to measure electrical patterns or brain waves in specific brain regions. Once the cap is fitted, conductive gel is inserted into the electrodes in order conduct electricity form the surface of the scalp to the electrodes. Once this process is completed, a battery of tests is administered in order to gain insight into the individual’s functioning in a wide range of areas.
Before the assessment, an online questionnaire should be completed as well as additional background information questionnaires to be used when interpreting results (details to be provided when booking your appointment). During the qEEG, data on performance of different tasks are collected and uploaded to a normative database and results found are considered in light of the provided background information and compared to other individuals in the same age and gender group. Findings are reported on and discussed in a feedback session and written report.
Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
During an EEG and QEEG data is collected on brain wave activity in order to identify patterns associated with sleep and other neurological conditions. With a qEEG, EEG recordings are computer analysed and a normative database is used to compare brain wave patterns with those of other individuals within the same age and gender group. This allows for the detection of more subtle deviations in brain wave patterns that might not be visible to the eye on a standard EEG.
No. The electrodes can only measure the activity in your brain.
- A good night’s is recommended as well as avoiding any strenuous activities that might lead to fatigue before the test.
- Please wash your hair and scalp with shampoo on the day of the appointment and allow sufficient time for your hair to dry or dry your hair using a hairdryer.
- As the aim is to ensure that the cap is fitted as snuggly to the scalp as possible, please remove any dreadlocks or plates before coming for the appointment.
- Please do not use any hair conditioner, gel, hair cream, hair spray or foam mousse on the day of your appointment
- Wear comfortable clothing and please avoid any polo neck jerseys or similar high neck garments.
- Please avoid wearing any make-up on the day of the appointment.
- Male clients (unless they already have a beard or moustache) should shave on the day of the test.
- It is important that no alcohol, marijuana or recreational drugs are consumed within 6 hours before the assessment.
- Regular smokers should try to reduce consumption of tobacco on the day of data acquisition, and not smoke within 2 hours before brainwave recording. Please note, tobacco smoking is not allowed during data acquisition.
- We also ask that you do not consume any caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, etc) 2 hours before the testing begins (Co-operation on these matters is vital).
- If you regularly take prescribed medications please inform your practitioner and maintain your normal intake except where advised otherwise.
- Please remember to bring glasses or hearing aids when applicable on the day of testing.
- Should you fall ill or acquire any injury before your scheduled appointment, please be so kind to inform us to reschedule your booking.
- Please ensure that you have a good breakfast and avoid consuming any sugary foods on the day of your appointment.
- You are welcome to bring a bottle of water and some snacks for during the assessment.
- Please read and sign accompanied questionnaires and consent forms. You are welcome to print and bring these forms along with you on the day of the test of scan and send it electronically to info@addlab.co.za
- For young children, you are welcome to bring along any handheld games (PSP, iPads etc.) to keep them occupied while the cap is being fitted.
- If your child is very sensitive to touch especially on the head please let us know and we can arrange for you to collect a spare cap to get the child use to it.
- Please prepare small kids from age 6-8 years old that they need to sit really still especially for the eyes open and eyes closed recordings. If the child is unable to sit still we will have to stop the testing and reschedule. You will then be charged only for the time spent.)
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