How Is Electroencephalography Done?
An electroencephalography procedure can be done in a doctor’s office or a hospital and is done by an EEG technologist. The EEG record, however, will be read and analyzed by a medical doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders (neurologist). Patients will lie down on their back on a table or bed, or they will be asked to relax in a chair and close their eyes. 16 to 25 electrodes will be strategically placed on their head. These electrodes are connected to a computer by wires. The patient should be still and quiet during the test, but are often allowed to reposition and stretch when the technologist tells them they can do so. Throughout the test, the patient may be asked to hyperventilate, look at strobe lights, or sleep. This test will take about one to two hours to complete. Once the test is done the patient will be able to go about their normal day, but will need a ride home if they were sleep-deprived for the test.
