What Is a qEEG, and Why Do We Use It at Braincare Rancho Mirage?
If you’re considering MeRT treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, autism, or another condition, you may have seen us mention something called a quantitative EEG (qEEG). But what is it? And why does it matter so much?
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What Is a qEEG?
A quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) is a type of brain mapping. It measures the electrical activity in your brain—your brainwaves—and turns that information into a visual report.
Think of it like a detailed brain “fingerprint.” Just as every person is different, every brain is different. And the qEEG shows us exactly how yours is functioning.
Why Brainwaves Matter
Your brain constantly produces electrical signals. These signals help regulate your thoughts, emotions, sleep, focus, and more. When brainwaves are too fast, too slow, or out of sync, it can lead to symptoms like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep issues
- Brain fog
- Emotional dysregulation
- Inattention or impulsivity
- Cognitive decline
The qEEG lets us see these imbalances in a clear, measurable way.
Types of Brainwaves
Brainwaves are grouped into different categories based on their speed and purpose:
- Delta (1–3 Hz): Deep, restorative sleep.
- Theta (4–7 Hz): Drowsy, drifting, daydreaming, creative states.
- Alpha (8–12 Hz): Calm but alert; the “relaxed focus” rhythm.
- Beta (13–30 Hz): Active thinking, concentration; excessively high beta can feel “wired.”
- Gamma (>30 Hz): High-level processing, integration, learning.
A healthy brain shifts smoothly among these bands depending on what you’re doing. The qEEG shows us where that rhythm is off and where it’s working well.
What the qEEG Chart Shows
During your consultation, we’ll review your qEEG brain map together. The image you see here is an example of what we use to explain your results.
Each oval represents a top-down view of your head for a specific brainwave band — delta, theta, alpha, beta, and so on. The colors show how your activity compares to age-matched norms:
- Red/orange: Higher than average activity in that frequency band
- Blue: Lower than average activity
- Green: Within expected range
While the qEEG measures all brainwave activity, with MeRT we focus specifically on optimizing the alpha band. This band plays a key role in coordinating brain communication, and restoring healthy alpha patterns can improve focus, mood, sleep, and emotional regulation.
Why We Focus on Alpha Waves with MeRT
The qEEG measures all brainwave activity so we can understand your brain’s overall function. But with MeRT, we specifically target the alpha band (8–12 Hz).
Alpha waves are the brain’s timing signal, helping different regions communicate in sync. When alpha rhythms are too slow, too fast, or out of sync between areas, it can cause problems with mood, focus, sleep, and stress regulation.
By pinpointing exactly where alpha activity is out of balance, we can design a treatment plan to restore a healthier pattern. While other bands are measured for context, alpha is where the treatment work happens.
How the qEEG Works (What to Expect)
The qEEG is non-invasive and painless. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
- Cap on, sensors placed. You’ll wear a cap with sensors that read your brain’s electrical signals.
- Eyes closed, then open. We record both states to see how your brain shifts.
- Compare to norms. Your data are compared to a large age- and sex-matched database.
- Brain map + report. We generate visual maps and a detailed analysis that guides your personalized MeRT plan.
qEEG Frequently Asked Questions
Is a qEEG safe?
Yes. A qEEG is completely non-invasive. It only records your brain’s electrical activity. Nothing is sent into your brain.
Will it hurt?
Not at all. The process is painless. You’ll simply wear a snug cap with sensors, similar to a swim cap, while we record your brain’s activity.
How should I prepare?
Come with clean, dry hair and avoid using hair products. Try to get a good night’s sleep and eat as you usually would. This helps us get the most accurate reading.
How long does it take?
While the actual qEEG recording takes about 10-15 minutes, plan to set aside 45 minutes. This will account for setup and sensor placement.
How often do you repeat the qEEG?
We perform an initial qEEG before starting treatment, then repeat it periodically (every few weeks) to track changes and fine-tune your MeRT plan. Then we take a final qEEG at the end of your treatment to review results.
Is this the same as an MRI or CT scan?
No. An MRI or CT scan shows the structure of your brain. A qEEG shows how your brain is functioning in real time by measuring electrical activity.
Ready to See What Your Brain Is Telling You?
If you’ve been struggling with symptoms that haven’t responded to other treatments, a qEEG can offer the insight you’ve been missing.
Call us for a free consultation, or fill out the form below, and we will contact you.
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