Abstract
BackgroundElectroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used neuroimaging technique with applications in healthcare, research, assessment, treatment, and neurorehabilitation. Conventional EEG systems require extensive setup time, expensive equipment, and expertise to utilize and therefore are often limited to clinical or laboratory settings. Technological advancements have made it possible to develop wireless EEG systems with dry electrodes to reduce many of these barriers. However, due to the lack of homogeneity in hardware, electrode evaluation, and methodological procedures the clinical acceptance of these systems has been limited.MethodsIn this investigation the validity of a wireless dry electrode system compared to a conventional wet electrode system was assessed, while addressing methodological limitations. In Experiment 1, the signal output of both EEG systems was examined at Fz, C3, Cz, C4, and Pz using a conductive head model and generated test signals at 2.5 Hz, 10 Hz, and 39 Hz. In Experiment 2, two-minutes of eyes-closed and eyes-open EEG data was recorded simultaneously with both devices from the adjacent electrode sites in a sample of healthy adults.ResultsBetween group effects and frequency*device and electrode*device interactions were assessed using a mixed ANOVA for the simulated and in vivo signal output, producing no significant effects . Bivariate correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between electrode pairs during the simultaneous in vivo recordings, indicating a significant positive relationship (all p's < .05) and larger correlation coefficients (r > ± 0.5) between the dry and wet electrode signal amplitude were observed for theta, alpha, beta 1, beta 2, beta 3, and gamma in both the eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions.ConclusionsThis report demonstrates preliminary but compelling evidence that EEG data recorded from the wireless dry electrode system is comparable to data recorded from a conventional system. Small correlation values in delta activity were discussed in relation to minor differences in hardware filter settings, variation in electrode placement, and participant artifacts observer during the simultaneous EEG recordings. Study limitations and impact of this research on neurorehabilitation were discussed.
Highlights
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used neuroimaging technique with applications in healthcare, research, assessment, treatment, and neurorehabilitation
Wireless technology and advancements in conductive materials have led to the development of several wireless EEG dry electrode systems for research and commercial use
In this study, serial simulated and simultaneous in vivo evaluation methods were employed to compare the signal output of EEG data recorded from a wireless dry electrode system (Versus) and a conventional wet electrode system (Mitsar-201). electrodes
Summary
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a widely used neuroimaging technique with applications in healthcare, research, assessment, treatment, and neurorehabilitation. The cumbersome nature of conventional EEG systems and the need for assistive application make it difficult to conduct research outside of controlled clinical and laboratory settings, limiting in vivo and ambulatory research opportunities These limitations, as well as the high cost of conventional systems, create barriers for providers and individuals interested in utilizing EEGbased applications such as neuropsychological assessment, neurofeedback, or brain-computer interface for restorative or assistive neurorehabilitation or treatment monitoring. Several validation studies have directly compared the signal output of dry and wet (pasted/gelled) electrode systems (review, see [4,5,6]) This body of research has been criticized due to the lack of homogeneity in hardware and electrode evaluation procedures and statistical methodology. In their review of dry electrode validation research, Lopez-Gordo and colleagues [6] emphasize that heterogeneity in evaluation procedures limit the comparison of results between investigations and suggest mandatory reporting of the following study related characteristics: mechanical, electrical, evaluation, and usability
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