Assessing digital and quantitative EEG in clinical settings.

Assessment of clinical utility involves a series of steps based primarily on published peer-reviewed medical literature. Relevant publications usually use the scientific method, appropriate control groups, blinded reading, prospective design, and other study elements. Assessments are more credible when conducted by those who do not have a conflict of interest in the technique. A detailed assessment of digital and quantitative EEG was conducted recently by the American Academy of Neurology. The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society was a joint sponsor. This assessment concluded that digital EEG is an excellent substitute for paper EEG. It also found quantitative techniques helpful in epilepsy monitoring, seizure detections, and in operating room/intensive care unit trend monitors. Several other applications were considered promising, whereas some applications were considered not ready for clinical use. Substantial problems still plague the field, predisposing to false-positive results.