The new wireless EEG device Mentalab Explore is a valid and reliable system for the measurement of resting state EEG spectral features

Abstract

Technological advancements in neuroscience have provided many conveniences to scientists, researchers, and consumers. The emerging electroencephalography (EEG) devices are good examples for it. The objective of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of a new wireless EEG device Mentalab Explore for resting-state EEG (rsEEG) recordings in eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Twenty-three healthy subjects were recruited for the study. The subjects visited the laboratory on two occasions. On the first day, both devices were used to record rsEEG data, and after 24 h, only the Mentalab Explore was used to record rsEEG for test–retest reliability analysis. We compared the alpha peak frequency, suppression, and mean power between the two devices. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for test–retest reliability analysis. Power spectral density (PSD) was calculated using Welch method. The PSD (eyes closed p < 0.0001; eyes open p = 0.01–0.0001), alpha peak frequency (p < 0.0001), and alpha suppression (p = 0.002–0.0001) from the two EEG devices as well as the test–retest results from the Mentalab device were significantly correlated. There were no significant differences in alpha peak frequency or suppression between the clinical-grade and the new devices for O1 and O2 channels in eyes-closed condition. The two measurements completed ∼24 h apart using the Mentalab system were similar for all the variables. We showed that the consumer-grade Mentalab Explore with gel electrodes is a reliable and valid EEG recording device for rsEEG spectral features.