ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG)

BY: Ms. THENMOZHI (PT)

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SCHOOL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY
VISTAS
Introduction
• Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive
diagnostic method used to record the electrical activity
of the brain. It measures spontaneous electrical signals
generated by neuronal activity in the cerebral cortex using
electrodes placed on the scalp.
• During an EEG test, small electrodes like cup or disc type
are placed on the scalp.
• They pick up the brain’s Electrical single and send them to
a machine called Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• It records the signals as wavy lines on to a computer
screen or paper in order of microvolt.
• EEG Waves
Frequency range =0.1 to 100 Hz
Amplitude = 2 to 200 micro volt
• In physiotherapy, EEG is increasingly used for:
• Neuro-rehabilitation (e.g., post-stroke, traumatic
brain injury)
• Biofeedback training
• Brain-computer interface (BCI) applications
• Monitoring brain activity during motor function
recovery
EEGs measure your brain activity
Principle
• EEG works on the principle of recording voltage
fluctuations resulting from ionic current flows within
neurons in the brain.
• The primary signal source is the postsynaptic
potentials from pyramidal neurons.
• Electrodes placed on the scalp pick up these signals,
which are then amplified and displayed as waveforms on
a monitor or paper.
• EEG captures brain rhythms like alpha, beta, delta,
theta, and gamma waves, each associated with
different physiological and pathological states.
Procedure
• Preparation:
• The patient will be positioned on a padded bed or table or in
comfortable chair.
• The scalp is cleaned to reduce impedance.
• Avoid caffeine or energy drinks for 6–8 hours.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• To measure the electrical activity in various part of the brain, a nurse
or EEG technician will attach 16 to 20 electrodes to scalp.
• The brain generates electrical impulses that these glue will be used
to attach them to the skull, no gain will be involved .
• During the Test
• Patient sits or lies relaxed with eyes closed.
• Should remain still to avoid muscle artifact.
• May be asked to perform activities like deep breathing
or light stimulation (flashing lights) to provoke brain
activity.
• Electrode Placement:
• Electrodes are applied with conductive gel/paste.
• The placement is based on anatomical landmarks
(nasion, inion, preauricular points).
• Recording:
• Electrical activity is recorded for 20–40 minutes.
• Once the test begins, the electrodes send electrical impulse data from
your brain to the recording machine. The machine converts the
electrical impulses into visual patterns that can be seen on a screen.
These patterns are saved to computer.
• The technician may instruct you to do certain things while the test is
in progress. They may ask you to lie still, close your eyes, breath
deeply or look at stimuli ( Such as a flashing light or a picture).
• The patient may be asked to perform certain tasks or
exposed to stimuli (visual, auditory, hyperventilation)
to provoke abnormal patterns if needed
• After the test is complete, the technician will remove the electrodes
from your scalp.
Types of Lobes:

• Frontal Lobes: Emotional & Motor Control

• Parietal Lobes : Sensory Purpose ( Pain, Touch,
Pressure)
• Temporal Lobes: Auditory System (Hear & Sound)
• Occipital Lobes: Visual Purpose (See & Eye)
Electrode Labelling
• F – Frontal lobe
• T – Temporal lobe
• C – Central (no anatomical lobe)
• P – Parietal lobe
• O – Occipital lobe
• Z – Midline electrodes
• Even numbers – Right hemisphere
• Odd numbers – Left hemisphere
EEG electrode placement
Types of Brain Waves
Wave Type Frequency State
Delta 0.5–4 Hz Deep sleep
Theta 4–7 Hz Light sleep, drowsiness
Alpha 8–13 Hz Relaxed, awake, eyes
closed
Beta 13–30 Hz Active thinking,
concentration
Gamma >30 Hz Sensory processing,
consciousness
Gamma Waves
• Gamma waves are recorded from visual cortex,
premotor, parietal, temporal, and frontal cortical
regions.
• Highest frequency, typically ranging from 30 to 100
Hz.
• These waves are associated with focused attention,
problem-solving, and intense cognitive activity.
• In EEG, gamma waves are categorized as part of the
broader spectrum of brainwave frequencies, which
also includes delta, theta, alpha, and beta waves
Normal vs Abnormal
Activity
• Normal EEG patterns depend on age, level of
consciousness, and stimulation.
• Abnormal EEG may show:
• Spikes and sharp waves (e.g., epilepsy)
• Slow waves (e.g., brain injury, tumors)
• Burst-suppression patterns (e.g., coma)
Normal EEG
Abnormal EEG
Partial (focal) seizures concern
a specific brain region, while
generalized seizures affect
both hemispheres from onset.
Theses variabilities allow
classifying different epilepsy
syndromes with specific
features and patterns.
Advantages

• Non-invasive and painless

• Real-time monitoring of brain function
• High temporal resolution (milliseconds)
• Lower Costs
Disadvantages
• High noise ratio.
• Not very exact measuring.
• Skull Weakness the Electrical activity .
• Low Spatial resolution.
Risks and Safety
• EEG is safe and non-invasive. However, there are a
few considerations:
• Minimal Risks:
• Skin irritation: From electrodes or glue.
• Discomfort: Due to prolonged sitting or during
electrode removal.
• Seizure provocation: In epilepsy patients during
hyperventilation or flashing lights.
Applications in
Physiotherapy
• Stroke Rehabilitation:
• Detects cortical reorganization.
• Guides neuroplasticity-based therapy and BCI.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
• Monitors brain recovery and guides therapy planning.
• Neurofeedback Therapy:
• Patient uses real-time EEG to learn to regulate brain
function (self-modulation).
• Motor Imagery Training:
• Brain activity during imagined movements is recorded
to aid in motor function recovery.
• Spasticity and Movement Disorders:
• Identifies cortical excitability patterns.
Limitations
• Poor spatial resolution
• Signals can be affected by muscle artifacts
• Requires trained professionals for interpretation
• Not suitable for deep brain structure analysis