For most EEGs, the basics are simple: follow the instructions for your specific appointment, arrive with clean hair and no styling products, and do not change your medicines, sleep schedule, meals, or caffeine intake unless your clinic tells you to. Preparation differs for routine awake EEGs and sleep-deprived EEGs, so another hospital’s schedule may not apply to yours.
What to do before an EEG
- Check your appointment instructions first. Follow the letter or instructions from your EEG clinic; contact them if directions are missing or conflict with advice from your treating clinician.
- Wash your hair. Arrive with clean hair and avoid gel, hairspray, oils, mousse, or other products that coat it. Johns Hopkins advises shampooing and avoiding conditioner the night before, while other clinics simply ask for clean hair. Use a no-conditioner instruction only if your own clinic gives it. Johns Hopkins Medicine and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust describe their respective guidance.
- Keep taking medicines unless specifically instructed otherwise. Make a list of prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies, and tell the care team what you use. Do not stop or adjust a prescription on your own; Johns Hopkins advises speaking with your provider first. Some sleep-deprived EEG protocols make specific exceptions—for example, UHN’s instructions say to take prescribed medicines except sleeping pills. That is local guidance, not a general rule. Ask your EEG clinic or ordering clinician to resolve any uncertainty. UHN’s sleep-deprived EEG instructions
- Do not fast or change caffeine habits unless told to. Some clinics advise normal meals; Johns Hopkins specifically says not to fast because low blood sugar may affect results. Caffeine restrictions also vary by provider, from no caffeine before the test to cutoffs ranging from the prior afternoon to 24 hours beforehand. Follow your own written instructions rather than combining or borrowing another clinic’s cutoff.
- Do not restrict sleep unless this is part of your test instructions. A routine EEG may not require sleep deprivation. If your EEG is intended to record sleep, the clinic will give a specific schedule; do not substitute a schedule found online or from another hospital.
How sleep-deprived EEG preparation differs
Sleep-related protocols can vary by clinic and by age. For example, Johns Hopkins describes limiting adult sleep to 4–5 hours and children’s sleep to 5–7 hours for its sleep EEG guidance. Cambridge gives a different age-specific protocol, while Hull asks adults to reduce sleep by at least half and wake by 5 a.m. These are examples of local instructions, not interchangeable recommendations. Follow the schedule supplied for your appointment.
Sleep deprivation can increase seizure risk. Hull University Teaching Hospitals says the increase is slight but that there are no definitive figures because testing methods differ. If you have concerns—particularly a history of seizures triggered by lack of sleep—contact your treating team before changing your sleep. Cambridge advises people with sleep-triggered seizures to contact the referring doctor.
What to wear, bring, and arrange
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing if your clinic recommends it; Guy’s and St Thomas’ suggests comfortable clothing for its day-case EEG.
- Bring your medication list and any items requested in the appointment letter. For a child, a familiar blanket or comfort toy may help if the clinic permits it.
- Plan transport according to the protocol. Cambridge asks adults having its sleep EEG to arrange a driver, and Hull recommends accompaniment after its sleep-deprived test because drowsiness may continue. A sedative may also make driving unsafe. Do not drive if you are too sleepy or impaired.
- Allow the time stated in your appointment details. Duration depends on the recording: Johns Hopkins gives a general estimate of 45 minutes to 2 hours, while Hull lists 75 to 90 minutes for its adult sleep-deprived EEG.
What happens during the recording
A trained clinician or physiologist attaches electrodes to your scalp using conductive material or paste, then records brain activity. Staff may ask you to relax, open or close your eyes, breathe deeply, or look at flashing lights, depending on the test and whether those procedures are appropriate for you. They should explain what they plan to do. Guy’s and St Thomas’ notes a very small risk that deep breathing or flashing lights could trigger a seizure or blackout during its day-case procedure; tell staff about relevant concerns before the recording.
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After the EEG
Paste may remain in your hair. Ask the clinic what cleanup is available; a comb or brush can help tidy your hair, and shampoo can remove residue. You do not need to bring or buy electrodes, an EEG cap, paste, or recording equipment—the clinic staff apply and operate the equipment.
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Sources and protocol examples
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust: Day case EEG (last reviewed May 2024)
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: Sleep Deprived Electroencephalogram (EEG) Adults
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Sleep Deprived EEG
- University Health Network, Krembil Brain Institute: About the Test—Sleep Deprived Electroencephalography (EEG)
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