Preparing for your EEG
What to Expect
EEG acquisition is a safe, non-invasive process. You will sit in a chair while a cap measured to your head size will be placed on your head. The nineteen sensor sites on the cap will be filled with a gel. Then the end of a Q-tip will be used to ensure good contact with your scalp through your hair. You will sit in a comfortable chair with the cap on while we record your EEG on a computer. Your EEG will be recorded once with your eyes open and again with your eyes closed. The entire process can vary in length, depending on a number of factors. Following the recommendations below will make the EEG process faster and will yield better information to direct your neurofeedback.
In order to achieve the best results possible during this process, please follow these recommendations as closely as possible:
1. Medications/Supplements
If possible, you should be free of medications or supplements that may alter brain activity for at least 48 hours prior to the EEG. Some medications may be stopped safely for a period of time, while stopping others may cause serious side effects or harm. Please check with your physician before stopping any medication. You should not make any decisions about stopping medications without first consulting with the physician who prescribed them. If you do take any medications (prescribed or over the counter) or supplements within 48 hours before your EEG, please let us know so that we can take this into account when analyzing your results.
2. Sleep
Aim to get a good sleep the night before your EEG to ensure that you are alert and to avoid drowsiness during your EEG. Try to get to sleep between 10:30pm and 11pm and to sleep for about 8 hours. Please inform us if you feel drowsy when you arrive - if you are not well rested, the EEG acquisition may not be performed, as drowsiness can confound your EEG results.
3. Nutrition
On the day of your test, eat meals that promote stable blood sugar (include a good source of protein and avoid sugar/processed carbohydrates). Also, it would be helpful to bring a snack (ie. some nuts) to your appointment in case your blood sugar starts to drop during the test. Please do not use stimulants the day of the test (ie. coffee, cigarettes, soft drinks, caffeinated tea). Also, avoid illegal or over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, foods, herbs, or herbal teas that promote sleep/relaxation or an awake/alert state on the day of the EEG.
4. Hair/Scalp Preparation
On the morning of the EEG acquisition, thoroughly shampoo your hair 2-3 times. Be sure to scrub your entire scalp, forehead, and earlobes with your fingertips and rinse your hair thoroughly. Do not use conditioner or shampoo that contains conditioner and do not use any product (ie. mousse, gel, hair spray) in your hair. Hair must be thoroughly dried for the EEG. If you have long hair, do not braid it (preferably keep your hair down). If you do not have hair, use a loofa to exfoliate your scalp the morning of your appointment if possible.
4. Skin Preparation
Keep your forehead free of make-up and lotions, as this can affect the EEG reading.
5. Clothing/Glasses/Jewelry
You will need to sit as still as possible during the EEG so it is preferable to wear comfortable clothing. Preferably do not wear contact lenses, as they may become uncomfortable and make you blink, which can affect the EEG (consider bringing glasses instead). You will need to remove any earrings you may be wearing during the EEG.
Following your EEG
At the end of the test, we will remove as much of the test-related gel from your hair/head as possible. You may want to bring a brush to fix your hair following your EEG. It is also possible that you might want go home and wash your hair when the process is completed.
1