qEEG – Quantitative Electroencephalography
qEEG, or quantitative electroencephalography, is an advanced form of electroencephalography (EEG) that records and analyses the brain’s electrical activity using mathematical and statistical methods.
qEEG makes it possible to compare the recorded brainwave activity with established normative values and identify potential deviations that may be associated with various neurological or psychiatric conditions. Brainwaves are rhythmic electrical impulses generated as millions of neurons in the brain communicate with one another. They provide important information about the brain's overall functioning. A qEEG assessment helps identify brainwave patterns that may be associated with attention deficits, anxiety, and other symptoms. The results of a qEEG assessment provide valuable information about brain function, which can be used to develop an evidence-based treatment plan tailored to the patient's individual needs.
qEEG is used in various fields, including:
- Neurology: To assess epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions.
- Psychiatry: In the assessment of depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and other mental health conditions, as well as in monitoring treatment outcomes.
- Clinical psychology and neurofeedback therapy: Helps tailor brain training programmes and assess cognitive functioning.
People experiencing mental health symptoms may benefit from a qEEG assessment, as it can provide a more detailed understanding of patterns of brain activity.
qEEG may be helpful in the following conditions:
The main benefits of qEEG include:
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helps identify cognitive and psychiatric difficulties;
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helps identify opportunities to regulate brainwave patterns;
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may help predict treatment response, for example, by assessing how a person may respond to antidepressants;
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provides valuable information for developing an individualised treatment plan, including biofeedback techniques such as neurofeedback, to support balanced brain activity;
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allows the effectiveness of different therapies and treatment methods to be monitored;
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provides objective data that can be used to design a personalised neurofeedback programme or plan other therapies, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
How does the procedure work?
qEEG is a safe, non-invasive, and painless assessment method.
During the assessment, a cap fitted with electrodes is placed on the scalp to measure the electrical signals generated by the brain.
A special gel is used to improve contact between the electrodes and the scalp. The electrodes do not affect brain activity in any way; they simply provide information about which areas of the brain show balanced, abnormally low, or abnormally high brainwave activity.
During the recording, the patient sits comfortably in a chair. Data are collected for 10 minutes with the eyes closed and 10 minutes with the eyes open.
The entire procedure is painless, and the appointment takes no longer than 60 minutes.
After the appointment, the specialist processes the collected data.
The results can be presented as graphs showing patterns of brain activity and comparing them with established normative values.
A doctor’s consultation is added to the service.
qEEG Checklist
Before the qEEG procedure, it is important to follow a few guidelines to ensure the most accurate results possible:
Rest and sleep:
Make sure you get enough sleep the night before, as fatigue can affect the brain's electrical activity.
Clean scalp:
Avoid using hair gels, sprays, or other hair products, as they may interfere with electrode contact with the scalp.
Kofeiini ja stimulantide vältimine:
Väldi kohvi, energiajookide ja muude stimulantide tarbimist vähemalt 2-3 tundi enne protseduuri.
Ravimite tarvitamine:
Kui võtad regulaarselt ravimeid, teavita sellest eelnevalt psühhiaatrit, kuna teatud ravimid võivad mõjutada EEG tulemusi. Seejärel saab arst anda täpsed juhised ravimite tarvitamise kohta.
Lõõgastumine:
Protseduuri ajal on soovitatav olla võimalikult lõõgastunud ja liikuda minimaalselt, et vältida häireid mõõtmistulemustes.
(Metallist) ehted:
Enne protseduuri tuleb eemaldada kõik metallist ehted ja aksessuaarid, et need ei mõjutaks mõõtmistulemusi.
Alusta oma aju analüüsi teekonda
qEEG uuring aitab tuvastada ajulainete mustreid, mis võivad olla seotud tähelepanu puudulikkuse, ärevuse ja teiste sümptomitega.
