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.