How The Exam Is Performed

Connecting the patient for the exam consists of placing a respiration belt around their diaphragm; placing temperature, GSR, and a BVP senser on their fingers, attached sEMG pads on their traps or mastoid, and EEG contacts on their ears and scalp. The time involved takes about 2 minutes.

Once the patient is connected, the software will take them through th structured SRE protocol.  Initially we take baseline readings, one with their eyes open and one with their eyes closed. Then we provide a series of slight emotional stressors (a math challenge, annoying noises, and a controlled breathing challenge) while we monitor to see how well the patient's nervous system engages to handle each challenge. Following each stressor, we provide a recovery period to see how well the patient's nervous system recovers from the stressors.

There are several different versions of the SRE available. Some with verbal prompts to guide the patient through the process for you. Others  which allow you to handle all of the instruction for the patient. There is also an option to use a color challenge for children rather than the standard math challenge.

Depending on which approach you take, the exam can take between 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Some doctors prefer to have the staff handle the exam and spend time reviewing the reports with the patients. Other doctors prefer to do the exam themselves, often using the time as an opportunity to educate the patient on their nervous system... actually showing them and discussing their stress responses while they are still connected.  

The choice is yours.