Your brain is a highly complex organ made up of billions of cells called neurons. Neurons send and receive messages to and from all parts of your body. This electrical flow in the brain can be measured and mapped using a QEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalogram). This is known as a “brain map.” Getting a QEEG involves having patients put on a cap that measures 19 sites on their brain. The sites show functions such as focus, worry, decision making, and obsessive thinking.
QEEG, which was developed in the late 1970s, is a type of brain map or database that provides a more visual way to look at the formation of brain waves. QEEG allows you to see more clearly what's going on with their brain functioning. It enables us to see how their brain is communicating. With quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) it is possible to observe several patterns that include optimal states of psychic balance, but also states of focus, attention, language ability, fear, anxiety, panic, anger, impatience, panic attack and depression etc.
Why do I need QEEG brain mapping? We use the brain map as a kind of “fitness evaluation” or a “roadmap” so we know how best to develop a neurofeedback protocol for your specific situation. In doing so, mind we endeavor to teach your brain how to balance itself, physician eliminating the “noise” and habits that may be causing or contributing to your symptoms. Clinical Neurofeedback training can also be used to enhance your performance, remedy too.Your brain map, which takes just an hour, will capture a window of your brain activity, analyze the data, and create a visual representation for each lobe of the brain and each specific type of brain wave (Delta, Theta, Alpha, and Beta). Prior to getting a QEEG, we could only see how the brain was functioning at specific sites. With the QEEG, we can now see the relationships between different areas of the brain at the same time. As a result, I have a much clearer picture of what's going on in patients' brains, so their treatment is much more effective. QEEG is really a wonderful tool that works hand in hand with clinical neurofeedback.
What experience and training do you need to provide brain maps and neurofeedback training? Our Clinical Director Hiro Koo is a registered clinical neurofeedback practitioner from the Spectrum Biofeedback Certification Institute of Asia (SBCIA). He is also master trainer of the SBCIA, it is an institute that provide certification and research & development in the field of Neurofeedback and Biofeedback. SBCIA is the premiere training/Research institute in Asia-Pacific for neurofeedback, biofeedback and self-regulatory exercises. Hiro Koo is one of the first two master trainers of clinical neurofeedback in Malaysia. Hiro Koo was trained by the late Dr Dr Kenneth Kang, a Educational Psychologist, who is the founder of the first neurofeedback therapy centre in Asia (1995) and founding president of SBCIA.
What can I do after the QEEG brain mapping assessment? You can do the brain training with clinical neurofeedback which can help build new circuits that minimize fear, shame, and anger, that is, compromised brain development can affect emotional control, Control of verbal or behavioral impulses and neurocognition as intelligence, memory, perception and attention. The treatment is based on the belief that the source of a person’s problematic condition — for example anxiety and depression - is due to brain disregulation and Neurofeedback Training (NFT) helps to restore that balance. The electrodes on the electroencephalogram (EEG) cap allow your brain function to be fed back to you through the computer screen. The specific problematic areas are then identified that need training. “The only way you can get that video to play is by making your brain function better. That happens randomly at the beginning but what happens over time is that by making the video play, a person is learning to control their brain function in the area where it is needed.”
IS BRAIN MAPPING RELIABLE? Brain mapping is a means to measure brain function. It is not a medical or psychological diagnostic tool but a tool to understand your brain function better. It has become a primary tool in neuroscience. QEEGs are used in research centres all over the world to study ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression and bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, and emotional conditions of every sort. It is a recognized diagnostic tool for some medical conditions in Germany and the USA.
Are you wondering why your healthcare professional hasn’t conducted a brain map or recommended one for you? Most psychiatrists and mental health professionals don’t utilize brain mapping because it’s not part of their conventional tools. Conducting a QEEG involves a huge learning curve and is very technical. They also may not know enough about brain mapping to feel comfortable recommending it.
How is a qEEG brain map conducted? Conducted in our office, the entire process takes about 60 minutes. It’s comfortable and painless but does result in a “bad hair” day. During the recording you sit in a comfortable chair wearing a cap with electrodes that record 19 sites on your head. The brain mapping process looks very similar to what a neurologist does when conducting a conventional EEG. However, a QEEG brain map analyzes very different information than what the neurologist does.
Why come to us for a brain mapping? Despite brain mapping’s importance, not every neurofeedback practice offers it. Conducting a brain map requires special equipment as well as technical know-how and skill. Additionally, it takes a great deal of experience to interpret the findings and to be able to custom-design protocols for each client using those findings. We are one of the pioneers in clinical neurofeedback in Malaysia and our practitioner is one of the only two master trainers in clinical neurofeedback (Malaysia).