ADULTS
privacy and comfort. delivered.
Electrophysiological Monitoring in the Comfort of Your Own Home.
Everything you need to know about Video EEG.
Neuro Dynamics provides you with the tests you need in the privacy and convenience of your own home, with minimal disturbance to your daily and nightly routines.
Services: Video EEG tests are painless, and usually take just 24-72 hours to complete. Most insurance providers cover the cost of the test, and Neuro Dynamics handles the scheduling, preauthorization and billing. By offering in-home EEG, you and your physician get better, faster results, at a lower cost and significantly less hassle than in-hospital testing.
We provide video EEG testing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your test takes place in the comfort of your own home, so you can sleep in your own bed, eat at your own table, and follow your normal, at-home daily routines as closely as possible.
Our Registered EEG Technologists come to your home, show you how the equipment works, and set you up for your test. They will also give you a phone number to call in case you have any difficulty with the equipment.
frequently asked questions for adults
What is an EEG?
An EEG is an electroencephalogram is a test neurologists use to evaluate electrical activity of the brain. Doctors rely on an EEG to diagnose (or rule out) seizures or epilepsy. An EEG uses sensors to record electrical activity, and measure voltage and frequency of brain waves in different areas of your brain.
Why does my doctor want me to have an EEG?
EEG can be used to diagnose seizure disorders, causes of confusion, sleep disorders, head injuries like concussions, degenerative conditions, infections, tumors and metabolic disorders that affect the brain.
What is a Video Ambulatory EEG?
Physicians recommend Video Ambulatory EEG
• Evaluate a patient for epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• To prepare for epilepsy-related surgery
• To evaluate how well anti-seizure or epilepsy medication is working
Considered the Gold Standard for EEG testing, a Video Ambulatory EEG shows the doctor any kind of events happening over the testing period while you are going about your everyday business. This test also gives your neurologist a better understanding of what might happen while you sleep.
Video tells your doctor a more complete story about any seizures, headaches or episodes you may be having, because it records your behavior at the same time it measures brainwave activity.
A technician will come to your home for about two hours to set up your EEG. The technician will use a special adhesive to attach the sensors to your scalp, wrap your head in gauze to keep the sensors in place, and set up two video cameras—one in your bedroom, and one in your main activity/living area. Once you complete setup, you will not be able to shower, so read below for specific instructions about showering and shampooing the day before your test.
Does my insurance cover an EEG?
Most insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, pay for EEG testing. Neuro Dynamics works with insurance companies for pre-authorization, but you are responsible for determining what your share of the cost will be (co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, etc.)
What happens once my doctor tells me I need this test?
Your physician contacts us to begin the process. We will contact you within 24 hours of receiving their order to set the appointment.
Does an EEG hurt? Can it harm me?
There is no discomfort or pain with an EEG. The technician uses non-invasive sensor placement on your scalp, it feels strange sometimes, but the test itself is painless. The sensors merely record brain activity, and produce no sensation. Sometimes, a patient experiences temporary skin irritation, but that is rare and easily treated. During a prolonged period of wearing sensors, patients may experience mild discomfort, itching or headaches. This is normal and is not anything to be concerned about.
How do I prepare for my EEG test?
• Do not use any oils, gels, mousse, sprays or conditioner on your hair for 24 hours before the test
• Wash your hair the night before
• Avoid caffeine for 8 hours before the test
• Don’t wear anything that goes over your head; wear a front-button or front-zip shirt, so you can easily undress for bed
• Sometimes, your doctor will need to evaluate your sleep, so you may be asked to shorten the sleep you get the night before the test
• The technician will give you an event button to push any time you have any kind of seizure, headache or confusion episode, as well as a diary to fill out with the activities you do, like eating, taking medications, sleeping or napping. The more accurate the diary you keep, the more complete your test results will be.
• At the end of the study, you will use a special solvent to remove the sensors from your hair
Will anyone else in my family be in the video with me?
Anyone who walks in front of one of the video cameras will be captured on video for a short period. The video and audio recording is continuous, but will be analyzed and edited so that only portions that require the physician’s attention will be viewed.
What equipment is involved?
• Sensors attached to the scalp to measure electric activity in the brain
• An event button, which you will press when you have a seizure, headache or confusion activity
• Two separate video tripods—one in the bedroom and one in a living area you choose with the technician’s help
• The camera view is limited to the area where you will be most of the time, and your spouse or bed partner will not be on camera in the bedroom
Can I use electronics (cell phone, Bluetooth, microwave oven, wireless thermostat, iPad, FitBit and the like) during the test?
Most electronics do not interfere with the testing process, as long as they do not touch the sensors themselves. Some medical devices like cochlear implants have been known to disturb the signal being transmitted, so please check with the technician who comes to your home if you typically use anything you think may interfere with transmission, or call our phones answered 24 hours a day: ((phone number)).
Do I need to sleep by myself during the test?
No, you don’t.
Can I go outside or run an errand during the test?
You can go outside, though it is recommended that you take a video camera with you if you do. We recommend you plan to stay home for the duration of your test (typically 24-72 hours) and ask that you do not leave to run any errands; if you absolutely must leave your home, please call our 24-hour hotline ((phone number)) and tell them you will be temporarily out of range.
Is there anything I should not do during the test?
As a general rule of thumb, you should not do anything during the test that will elevate your heart rate or cause you to sweat. You also cannot bathe, shower or swim during the test, but you can clean your skin with damp cloths.
What if I have a question after the technician leaves?
Call our 24-hour hotline at ((phone number)) for immediate assistance.
What do I do if I have a seizure or other medical event during the test?
Neuro Dynamics does not provide medical care; depending on the severity of your episode, you and/or your caregiver should decide whether to call a physician or 911. During your testing period, please record each event in your log, and press the event button the technician left with you during setup.
What if I DON’T have an event or seizure during my EEG?
The EEG doesn’t always capture an episode, but that doesn’t mean there is no benefit to having done the EEG—a patient’s EEG isn’t always “normal” just because there is no seizure or episode. Many times, people with seizure disorders have brief, abnormal activity during wake and sleep cycles without symptoms, and are captured during the test. All activity recorded will help your physician determine the best course of treatment for you.
What if something goes wrong during the test?
We have Registered EEG Technicians monitoring your test the entire time to ensure your data is recording properly. Many times, we can solve a problem remotely online; however, if a sensor detaches, we will dispatch a technologist to re-apply it. You can call us 24 hours a day: ((phone number)).
What if I have a medical emergency?
Call 911. The monitoring we do does not extend responding to any type of medical emergency, and an ambulance will arrive quickly to take care of your situation.
How long after the test is complete will I have results?
Your data will be given to your neurologist 48 hours after your test is complete. Most neurologists will have a report ready a few days after that, and most physicians prefer to go over test results in person rather than over the phone. Please check with your referring physician for your EEG results, not with Neuro Dynamics.