By Lisa Marinelli Smith
NeuLine Health
This guide walks through the setup appointment, equipment, recording period and follow-up for a 72-hour EEG at home.
Your referring provider decides whether an EEG is needed for your care and sends the order to NeuLine Health.
An EEG, short for electroencephalogram, records the brain’s electrical signals using small electrodes attached to the scalp. Ask your ordering provider how the study fits into your diagnostic evaluation.
NeuLine’s portable technology and experienced registered technicians make it possible for patients to undergo 72-hour ambulatory EEGs from the comfort of home, rather than checking into a hospital or clinic for the test.
“By performing the test over three days, especially in a setting the patient is used to, we can capture what may be going on abnormally in the brain and when it’s happening,” explains Shawn Brown, a lead field technician for NeuLine Health.
What happens before my 72-hour EEG?
After your primary care provider or neurologist submits an order to NeuLine Health, we will work with you to book your test when it’s most convenient for you. We strive to coordinate around work schedules and other obligations and events when possible.
Then, NeuLine Health will assign your case to one of its registered technicians, who will get in touch with you 24 hours before the appointment to go over instructions and explain what to expect.
Some topics covered include:
- Asking patients to wash their hair before the test but avoid using hair products afterward
- Explaining the preparation-sheet instruction to avoid physical activity that causes sweating
- Designating an area where the tech and patient can go over paperwork
- Creating space for the equipment, about the size of a small carryon suitcase, usually set up in the bedroom
Preparing for your setup appointment
NeuLine’s patient preparation sheet, revision April 2025, includes these instructions:
- Take a shower or bath the day before your scheduled appointment.
- Shampoo your hair—clean and dry hair is best. Do not use hair products such as spray, mousse, gel or conditioner.
- Wear a button-down, zippered or wide-neck shirt during testing to help protect the EEG wires when changing clothes.
- Take any/all routine medications as normal.
- Choose a room or two where you are willing to stay for the majority of the time.
What happens after a NeuLine Health tech arrives at my house?
When a NeuLine Tech arrives, you and the tech will go over paperwork, including a consent form, history form and log sheet. The tech will speak to you about the process of applying the electrodes and how the test will work. NeuLine follows infection-control precautions for home visits.
During setup, the technician reviews:
- The electrode arrangement and how the wires are secured for your ordered study.
- The equipment, activity log and video recording, if applicable.
- NeuLine contact information and disconnection arrangements.
Confirm the expected setup time with the scheduling team. NeuLine’s April 2025 patient preparation sheet instructs patients to take any/all routine medications as normal. Ask your ordering clinician about any study-specific instructions.
“All along the way, we are happy to answer any questions patients or their family may have,” Brown says. “We will also leave them with contact numbers to reach get ahold of NeuLine or us if they have questions or concerns after we leave.”
What other equipment is used?
Your technician provides an activity or “Push Button Log” and explains how to use it for your study. Ask the technician to review what to record and how to use the event button before setup ends.
Your ordered study may include video recording. The technician explains the equipment and its arrangement for your study. NeuLine’s preparation sheet asks you to choose a room or two where you are willing to stay for the majority of the time.
Your scheduling team and technician explain the ordered study, video recording if applicable, contact information and disconnection arrangements.
What happens during my EEG study?
Plan your activities around the instructions for your ordered study. NeuLine’s preparation sheet says to avoid physical activity that causes sweating because it can loosen the EEG wires.
NeuLine’s preparation sheet asks you to stay in front of the camera as long as possible and avoid extended periods off-camera.
Remote monitoring staff check the technical EEG and video recording for equipment issues. When an issue is detected, it is documented and field-technician help is arranged as needed. The reading physician reviews the recorded study and signs the final report after the data is prepared for review.
“We ask patients to keep their phones handy so that we can get in touch with them if the equipment isn’t functioning properly,” Brown says. “We will go back and re-attach the loose wires or troubleshoot computer issues.”
Everyday questions during your recording
Can I shower or bathe?
No showers or baths during the study. Freshen up with a sponge bath as needed.
What should I wear?
Wear a button-down, zippered or wide-neck shirt during testing. This can help protect the EEG wires when changing clothes.
Can I exercise or chew gum?
NeuLine’s preparation sheet says no physical activity that causes sweating, because it will loosen the EEG wires, and no gum chewing during the study, because it will interfere with the testing data.
Where should I stay during the recording?
Choose a room or two where you are willing to stay for the majority of the time. Stay in front of the camera as long as possible, and do not stay off-camera for extended periods.
Does the equipment need charging?
Plug the equipment into a wall outlet for at least 30 minutes each day, as specified in NeuLine’s April 2025 preparation sheet.
What should I keep away from the wires?
Do not place electrical devices such as headphones or electric blankets on the EEG wires.
What if my scalp itches?
NeuLine’s preparation sheet says not to scratch your head; try tapping the itchy spot instead.
Will a technologist contact me?
A technologist assigned to your test will be monitoring your test remotely. If necessary, the technologist will call you by phone to check in.
For questions about your study, including sleep, work, leaving home, driving, loose electrodes or support arrangements, use NeuLine’s patient preparation and scheduling resources to contact the team.
See the equipment
These demonstration photos show NeuLine’s electrode setup, head wrap, portable recorder, camera equipment and an example room arrangement. For preparation and a video walkthrough, review NeuLine’s patient video and preparation resources.
What happens after my study?
Your technician disconnects the study when recording is complete. The scheduling team and technician explain your disconnection arrangements.
Before the technician leaves, review the electrode-removal and skin-care instructions for the equipment used in your study.
The tech will pack up the computer and camera and finalize the paperwork.
How do I get my EEG results?
When techs get home, they will upload the test data and clean the equipment for the next patient.
NeuLine technicians “prune” or prepare the recorded data for the reading physician. The reading physician reviews the data and report, then signs and dates the final report. NeuLine sends the final report to the referring provider.
Contact the provider who ordered your study for your results and follow-up. Your ordering provider can explain the expected timing and discuss what the report means for your care.
For more information about NeuLine Health EEGs, read about us online or call (844) 212-5321.
For service information and next steps, explore NeuLine’s in-home EEG services.
