Many people living with depression find that antidepressants and therapy alone don’t fully relieve their symptoms. When that happens, clinicians look for more information to guide the next steps in care. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) brain mapping is one assessment tool that can add to that picture.
At Restore Mental Health in Deerfield Beach, qEEG brain mapping is available as part of our neurotherapy services. It gives clinicians an additional view of brain activity to consider alongside a full clinical evaluation, and it may help them plan and track treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neurofeedback.
What Is qEEG Brain Mapping?
An electroencephalogram (EEG) records the brain’s electrical activity through small sensors placed on the scalp. A qEEG uses computer software to analyze that recording, measuring the types of brain waves and their activity levels across different regions of the brain. The results are often displayed as a color-coded map, which is why the process is called brain mapping.
qEEG brain mapping is non-invasive. The sensors only record activity. They don’t send electrical signals into the brain or change how it functions.
What the Scan Measures
A qEEG tracks several types of brain waves, including delta, theta, alpha and beta waves. Each type is associated with different states, such as deep sleep, relaxation or focused attention. The analysis shows how much of each type appears in different areas of the brain and whether some areas appear more or less active than expected.
How qEEG Brain Mapping Fits Into Treatment at Restore
qEEG brain mapping isn’t a test that diagnoses depression or any other mental health condition. Diagnosis comes from a clinical evaluation that considers your symptoms, history and functioning. A qEEG adds another layer of information that your care team may use alongside that evaluation.
At Restore, clinicians may use qEEG results to help plan and track neurotherapy treatments, including TMS and neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a form of brain training that uses real-time feedback on brain wave activity to help a person learn to regulate certain patterns. A qEEG taken partway through treatment can also give your care team another way to look at changes over time, in addition to tracking how your symptoms respond.
qEEG brain mapping is one part of Restore’s broader approach to neuro rehabilitation for mental health. If you’re receiving treatment for depression at Restore, your clinicians may recommend a qEEG assessment as part of planning your care.
Neurotherapy services can be part of care at different levels, including residential mental health treatment and outpatient mental health care. Your care team will recommend the setting that fits your symptoms and needs.
What to Expect During a qEEG Brain Mapping Session
Before your session, your care team will ask you to arrive with clean hair that’s free of gels, oils or other styling products, so the sensors can collect accurate readings. You may also be asked to avoid caffeine and similar substances for a period beforehand so the recording reflects your typical brain activity.
During the session, a clinician will fit you with a soft mesh cap that holds the sensors in place. They’ll apply a conductive gel through small openings in the cap to help the sensors pick up signals from your scalp.
Most people simply sit comfortably while the recording takes place. You may spend part of the session relaxing with your eyes closed and part of it with your eyes open or completing simple tasks. The process is painless.
Side effects are uncommon. Some people may be sensitive to the gel or adhesive used with the sensors. If you notice any discomfort during the session, let your clinician know so they can pause or stop the recording.
How Findings Inform Treatment
After the session, clinicians review the analysis to see how brain wave activity is distributed across different regions. That information is considered together with your symptoms, medical history and other assessment results. No single test determines your treatment plan.
Restore Mental Health is accredited by The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration. Your care team will explain what your results show, how they may factor into your treatment and what options are available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who might benefit from qEEG brain mapping?
qEEG brain mapping may be recommended for people with depression that hasn’t improved enough with medication, therapy or other conventional treatments. The information from the scan can help clinicians as they plan and track other treatments, such as TMS or neurofeedback.
Does qEEG brain mapping treat depression?
No. A qEEG is an assessment tool, not a treatment. It records brain activity to give clinicians additional information alongside a full clinical evaluation. It doesn’t diagnose depression on its own.
Does qEEG brain mapping have side effects?
qEEG brain mapping is non-invasive and only records brain activity, so serious side effects aren’t expected. In rare cases, a person may be sensitive to the gel or adhesive used with the sensors. If you have known skin sensitivities, tell your clinician before the session starts.
Is qEEG brain mapping covered by insurance?
Coverage for qEEG varies, and many plans don’t cover it for mental health conditions. Our admissions team can verify your benefits and discuss costs with you before your assessment.
Ask About qEEG Brain Mapping at Restore
If you’re living with depression and traditional treatments haven’t been enough, talking with our team about qEEG brain mapping and other neurotherapy options can be a helpful next step. Call (877) 810-2074 or contact Restore Mental Health to speak with our admissions team.
Contact Restore Mental Health