Objectives: To compare our homemade headcap with the Medelec R model in EEG recording.
Material and Methods: Forty adult patients who required EEG testing were randomized to have their EEG done using a homemade headcap or commercial headcap. The number of patients with sleep deprivation, with successful sleep recording, patients' cooperation, number of electrode movement and popping were noted. The tracings were interpreted blindly and the number of artifacts due to electrode movement or popping was recorded.
Results: Forty patients were recruited, 20 in homemade headcap (group A) and 20 in Medelec R model headcap (group B). The demographic data, number with sleep deprivation, level of cooperation and successful sleep EEG recording were not different between the two groups. The number of abnormal EEG was higher in group A than in group B. (p=0.034) There were no artifacts due to electrode movement or popping in either group. The electrode movement was significantly less in group A than in group B during intermittent photic stimulation. The electrode popping during hyperventilation recording was higher in group A than in group B.
Conclusion: Our study showed that the performance of our homemade headcap was comparable to that of Medelec R model. The number of electrode movement and popping were similar with the two headcaps and no artifacts due to these phenomena were detected. The cost of our homemade headcap is low with a durability of 6 months and it can be made anywhere. It is therefore suitable in any region with economic constraint.