Both an electroencephalogram and an electromyogram (or EEG and an EMG) are used to measure electrical activity inside the body. The difference between an EEG and an EMG, however, lies in exactly what they measure. An EEG measures electrical activity within a person’s brain while an EMG measures electrical impulses within a person’s muscles. Both of these diagnostic tests are performed using equipment that records the electrical activity. An EEG, however, involves the use of electrodes attached to the skin for recording electrical impulses while an EMG involves the insertion of needles into the muscles that will be tested.
The main difference between an EEG and an EMG is what they test. While they are both used to test the electrical activity or impulses going on inside a patient’s body, each test is used for a different part of the body. An EEG is used to test electrical activity in a patient’s brain. To perform this test, a medical professional typically attaches electrodes to the scalp using a non-toxic adhesive that can be washed off the skin once the test is over. The electrodes transmit to a computer, which works to analyze the brain’s electrical activity.
In contrast to an EEG, an EMG is used to measure the electrical activity in a patient’s muscles. To perform this test, a medical professional inserts needles into a patient's muscles. These needle electrodes are typically small and solid inside, and they are usually connected to an amplifier and a special screen. The amplifier and the screen allow a medical professional to analyze the electrical activity within a person’s muscles.
An EEG and an EMG also differ in terms of where and by whom they are performed. An EEG typically is performed in a neurology clinic by an EEG technician, though the results are usually analyzed by a doctor. An EMG, on the other hand, often is performed in an electromyography lab or clinic by an electromyographer or a neurologist. Both tests are also performed in hospitals and medical offices.
When one is considering the difference between an EEG and an EMG, he may also consider the amount of time each test takes to complete. An EEG may last for an average of about an hour or two. An EMG, on the other hand, usually lasts for about 30 minutes to an hour. The amount of time an EEG or an EMG takes may depend on the person performing the test and the cooperation of the patient.