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What to Expect: QEEG Session

Your QEEG brain mapping session is straightforward and painless. Here's exactly what will happen from start to finish.

⏱️ Overview

Total time: 60-90 minutes - Cap preparation: 10-15 minutes - Eyes-closed recording: 10 minutes - Eyes-open recording: 10 minutes - Optional test (IVA-2): 15-20 minutes - Cleanup: 5 minutes - Buffer time for questions and setup

Completely painless - we're only measuring electrical activity, not putting anything into your brain!

🏢 In-Office QEEG

Arrival

When you arrive: - Check in at front desk 5-10 minutes early - Bring any intake paperwork if not already submitted - Coach will greet you and show you to the QEEG room

Cap Fitting (10-15 min)

What happens:

  1. Coach measures your head to confirm cap size
  2. Cap is placed on your head (feels like a swim cap with sensors)
  3. Gel is applied to each sensor using a syringe:
  4. May feel cold or wet
  5. Slight scratching sensation as gel is worked in (normal!)
  6. Takes 5-10 minutes for all 19-21 sensors

What it feels like: - Mildly uncomfortable but not painful - Gel may feel cold or squishy - Some pressure from cap - May feel silly (it's a funny-looking cap!)

Pro tip: Wear clothes you don't mind getting a tiny bit of gel on (though we're careful!)

Eyes-Closed Recording (10 min)

Instructions from coach:

"Close your eyes gently - not squeezed shut, just relaxed. Try to keep your mind quiet, but don't force it. If thoughts come, that's fine - just let them drift by.

Keep your jaw slack and try not to move, even small fidgets. I'll let you know when we're done with this part."

Your job: - Close eyes gently (not squeezed) - Relax your jaw (let it hang slightly loose) - Stay awake! (think about something if you feel drowsy) - Stay as still as possible (unlike neurofeedback training!) - Breathe normally

Duration: 10 minutes (may feel longer!)

Tip: Thinking about something lightly helps prevent drowsiness.

Eyes-Open Recording (10 min)

Instructions from coach:

"Now keep your eyes open, looking at that spot on the wall. Don't stare hard - just rest your gaze there. Try not to look around.

Same as before - stay still and relaxed."

Your job: - Eyes open, soft gaze at fixed point - Don't scan around the room - Blink normally (blinking is fine!) - Stay still - Relax your jaw

Duration: 10 minutes

Easier than eyes-closed for most people (less risk of drowsiness).

Optional Test: IVA-2 or CPT (15-20 min)

If included in your QEEG:

What it is: Continuous Performance Task - measures attention and impulse control

What you do: - Watch screen for specific target - Click mouse when you see it - Don't click for non-targets - Simple but requires sustained attention

Purpose: Measures brain activity during cognitive challenge (helps identify ADHD patterns)

Not all QEEGs include this - depends on your goals and presentation.

Cleanup (5 min)

What happens: 1. Coach removes cap 2. You wipe gel from hair/scalp (tissues provided) 3. You're done!

Your hair will be a bit messy - plan accordingly or bring a hat!

🏠 Remote (At-Home) QEEG

Before the Session

Equipment arrives 1-2 days before: - QEEG cap (sized for you) - CGX Quick-21 or similar system - Gel syringes - Instructions - Return shipping label

Scheduled Zoom call with coach who guides you through everything.

During the Zoom Call

Coach guides you step-by-step:

  1. Cap sizing and placement (you put it on yourself)
  2. Gel application (coach talks you through each sensor)
  3. Signal quality check (coach verifies on their screen)
  4. Eyes-closed recording (10 min - coach monitors)
  5. Eyes-open recording (10 min)
  6. Upload data to Dropbox (coach helps if needed)

Duration: Usually 60-90 minutes total (more time needed for at-home setup)

After Recording

Cleanup: 1. Remove cap 2. Clean sensors (coach explains how) 3. Pack everything for return shipping 4. Schedule FedEx pickup (or drop at FedEx location)

Data is uploaded to Dropbox and sent to Dr. Hill for analysis.

📊 What Happens to Your Data

After the Recording

Processing timeline:

  1. Day 0: Recording completed
  2. Days 1-2: Data processed and analyzed
  3. Day 3+: QEEG Review scheduled with Dr. Hill (48+ hours after recording minimum)

QEEG Review with Dr. Hill

30-45 minute Zoom session:

Dr. Hill will: 1. Share your brain map on screen 2. Explain the color patterns and what they mean 3. Identify your endophenotypes (stable brain patterns) 4. Relate findings to your symptoms/goals 5. Recommend initial training protocols 6. Answer your questions

Come prepared with questions!

💡 Tips for a Good QEEG

Before

✅ Follow prep instructions: - Wash hair, no products - No caffeine 18hrs before (or after 4pm day before) - Hold stimulant medications 48hrs if medically safe - Hold other medications/supplements if medically safe - No intense exercise morning-of - Good sleep - No training day before

See: Preparing for Your Brain Map for full checklist

During

✅ Stay still: - Much more important than during neurofeedback training - Movement creates artifacts in data - Harder to process, may need to redo segments

✅ Stay awake (eyes-closed): - Think about something lightly - Don't let yourself drift to sleep - Count backwards from 100 - Mental math problems - Review your day

✅ Relax your jaw: - Most common artifact source - Let jaw hang slightly loose - Tongue rests on bottom of mouth

✅ Blink normally (eyes-open): - Don't try to stare without blinking - Normal blinking is fine - Just don't blink excessively

🚨 Common Issues

"I fell asleep during eyes-closed"

Don't worry! Coach will notice in the data.

May need to: - Redo that segment (just 10 more minutes) - Coach will let you know

Prevention: Think about something to stay mentally engaged.

"I couldn't stop moving/fidgeting"

It happens! Some people find it very hard to stay still for 20 minutes.

Coach will: - Check data quality - May need to redo segments with excessive movement - Give you tips for staying still

"The cap is uncomfortable"

Let the coach know! - Can adjust fit - Can take brief break if needed - Usually feels less uncomfortable after a few minutes

"I'm claustrophobic"

Tell your coach before starting! - They can modify approach - Take breaks between segments - Explain what's happening at each step - Go slower

Most claustrophobic people do fine once they understand the process.

🤔 Common Questions

Does it hurt?

No! The only sensations are: - Mild pressure from cap - Cold/wet gel - Light scratching as gel is applied (just moving hair)

Nothing painful.

Will I feel anything from the recording?

No. QEEG only measures - it doesn't stimulate or change anything. You won't feel anything electrical.

What if I need to cough or sneeze?

Just do it! Coach will pause recording or note the event. Better to cough than suppress it and create tension.

Can I talk during recording?

Not during actual recording segments. But: - Before starting: Ask any questions - Between conditions: Brief questions OK - If urgent need: Coach can pause

What if I move accidentally?

Don't stress! Coach can usually work around brief movements. Major movements may require redoing a segment.

How still is "still enough"?

During QEEG: Much stiller than neurofeedback training - No fidgeting - No shifting position - Minimal movement

Unlike neurofeedback where fidgeting is fine!

📅 After Your QEEG

Immediate

You can: - Resume normal activities immediately - Wash hair if you want (though gel washes out easily) - Go back to work/life

No side effects from QEEG - it's just a recording!

Next Steps

Within 48-72 hours: 1. Data is processed 2. QEEG Review scheduled with Dr. Hill 3. You'll receive Zoom link

At QEEG Review: 1. See your brain map 2. Understand your patterns 3. Get protocol recommendations 4. Begin neurofeedback training!

The QEEG session itself is simple: sit still for 20 minutes while we record your brain. Everything else flows from there. Relax, follow instructions, and soon you'll have a detailed map of your unique brain! 🧪🧠