A QEEG is primarily used as a treatment-planning tool in clinical neurofeedback
and psychotherapy.
It is completed from a biopsychosocial perspective and is not the same as a
“clinical EEG”, which is used in medical practice to evaluate epilepsy or to
determine if there is a serious brain pathology, such as a tumour. A QEEG is not
designed to diagnose tumours, epilepsy, or other structural medical conditions.
At our clinic, we would complete a QEEG to better understand the
neurophysiology of the client to further inform non-invasive therapy. This is not for
diagnostic purposes but to better understand the developmental maturity of the
brain to help set therapeutic goals, that is within our scope of practice, to
enhance our client’s capacity. A wide range of dysregulated EEG patterns
(phenotypes) have been correlated with disorders and clinical conditions.
Similar to traditional EEG, QEEG uses electrodes placed on the scalp to measure brainwave activity in real-time. Brainwaves are categorised into different frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma), each associated with various mental states or functions (e.g., relaxation, focus, and sleep).
Once the brainwave data is collected, it is subjected to statistical analysis to quantify the brain’s electrical activity. The results are then compared to a normative database, which contains data from individuals with typical brainwave patterns, matched by age and gender. This allows clinicians to identify brainwave patterns that may be linked to mental health issues or cognitive impairments.
The results are visualised as color-coded maps of the brain, where areas of overactivity or underactivity are highlighted. These maps can show, for example, whether certain regions of the brain are producing too much or too little activity in specific frequency bands. These deviations are often associated with various conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and traumatic brain injuries.
A QEEG is primarily used as a treatment-planning tool in clinical neurofeedback and psychotherapy. It is completed from a biopsychosocial perspective and is not the same as a “clinical EEG”, which is used in medical practice to evaluate epilepsy or to determine if there is a serious brain pathology, such as a tumour. A QEEG is not designed to diagnose tumours, epilepsy, or other structural medical conditions.
At our clinic, we would complete a QEEG to better understand the neurophysiology of the client to further inform non-invasive therapy. This is not for diagnostic purposes but to better understand the developmental maturity of the brain to help set therapeutic goals, that is within our scope of practice, to enhance our client’s capacity. A wide range of dysregulated EEG patterns (phenotypes) have been correlated with disorders and clinical conditions.
From a psychosocial perspective, QEEG is a tool that can both challenge and complement traditional approaches to mental health.
A more holistic approach would integrate QEEG findings with a patient’s social context, life experiences, and emotional history, ensuring that treatment addresses both biological and psychosocial factors.
A more holistic approach would integrate QEEG findings with a patient’s social context, life experiences, and emotional history, ensuring that treatment addresses both biological and psychosocial factors.
QEEG can empower clients by providing objective data that helps them understand their brain’s functioning and can be beneficial for the following conditions:
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): QEEG can reveal excess theta waves and low beta wave activity, which are often seen in individuals with ADHD.
• Anxiety and Depression: QEEG can identify patterns of overactivity or underactivity in certain brain regions linked to mood regulation, helping therapists design interventions that promote emotional stability.
• Trauma and PTSD: QEEG can detect hyperactivity in regions of the brain like the amygdala, which is associated with heightened fear responses in individuals with PTSD. This helps in tailoring psychotherapy to calm these regions.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): QEEG is useful in detecting brainwave irregularities caused by head injuries, which can guide rehabilitation strategies.
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