qEEG makes it possible to compare recorded brainwave activity with established normative data and identify potential deviations that may be associated with various neurological or psychiatric conditions. Brain waves are rhythmic electrical impulses generated as millions of neurons in the brain communicate with one another. They provide valuable information about overall brain function. A qEEG assessment helps identify patterns of brainwave activity that may be associated with attention difficulties, anxiety, and other symptoms. The results provide valuable information about brain function that can help inform an evidence-based and individually tailored treatment plan.

qEEG is used in a variety of 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:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Panic disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Schizophrenia

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

The main benefits of qEEG include:

• helps identify cognitive and psychiatric difficulties;

• helps identify opportunities to regulate brainwave patterns;

• may help predict treatment response, for example, by assessing how a person may respond to antidepressants;

• provides valuable information for developing an individualised treatment plan, including biofeedback techniques such as neurofeedback, to support balanced brain activity;

• allows the effectiveness of different therapies and treatment methods to be monitored;

• 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 procedure, an electrode cap is placed on the scalp to measure the electrical signals generated by the brain. A special gel is used to ensure better contact between the electrodes and the scalp. The electrodes do not affect brain activity in any way; they only provide information about which areas of the brain show balanced, low, or high levels of brainwave activity. During the recording, the patient sits comfortably in a chair while data are collected for 10 minutes with their eyes closed and 10 minutes with their eyes open. The entire procedure is painless, and the appointment takes no longer than 60 minutes. 

After the appointment, the specialist processes the data using specialised software. The results can be presented as graphs showing patterns of brain activity and comparing them with normative data.

A doctor’s consultation is added to the service.

Before the qEEG procedure, it is important to follow certain 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.

• Avoid caffeine and stimulants: Avoid consuming coffee, energy drinks, and other stimulants for at least 2–3 hours before the procedure.

• Medication: If you take any medications regularly, inform your psychiatrist in advance, as certain medications may affect EEG results. Your doctor can then provide specific instructions regarding whether and how to take your medication before the procedure.

• Relaxation: During the procedure, it is recommended to remain as relaxed as possible and minimise movement to avoid interference with the measurement results. 

• (Metal) jewellery: Before the procedure, remove all metal jewellery and accessories to ensure they do not affect the measurement results.