Everyone aspires to more freedom—to speak, think, or move about as one pleases. Should researchers be any different? Why be shackled to the static wires and cables of the lab, when one can release study participants with the help of mobile and wearable technology?
The evolution of wearable technology for recording physiological signals represents a transformative leap for research, particularly when it comes to electroencephalography (EEG). These advancements allow researchers to capture brain activity data in real-world settings, moving beyond the confines of laboratory-based experiments. Mobile and wearable EEG devices utilize wireless technology to transmit data, offering significant advantages over traditional methods.
EEG is a cornerstone in the study of brain activity, providing insights into the electrical patterns generated by neuronal firing. EEG has traditionally been used in physiology and psychophysiology research to understand brain function, monitor cognitive states, and investigate neural responses to various stimuli. The conventional EEG setup typically involves a stationary system with numerous electrodes affixed to the scalp using a conductive gel, which can limit the subject’s movement and impact the naturalistic settings of studies.
One of the primary benefits of mobile and wearable EEG systems is their ability to record brain activity during dynamic, everyday activities. This capability provides a more comprehensive understanding of how the brain responds to real-world stimuli and stressors, as opposed to controlled, static environments. For instance, researchers can now study cognitive processes in natural settings like workplaces or homes, enhancing the ecological validity of their findings.
A study by the School of Architecture at the University of Liverpool provides an example in which researchers leveraged wearable EEG technology when comparing subjective and physiological responses to noise within wooden buildings. The research team conducted listening tests using EEG data recorded via the B-Alert X-24 wireless headset system, which allowed participants to “sit comfortably in a simulated living room” while listening to a variety of sounds that were both airborne and resonating through the floors. Participants rated their level of noise annoyance on an 11-point scale and results were compared to EEG data. In discussing the design of their study, the authors highlighted the importance of incorporating noninvasive, wearable technology, stating, “Among the several options available for measuring physiological reactions to auditory stimuli, contemporary technologies made possible the recording of EEG in a relatively easy way by means of portable devices. These offer the precious opportunity of acquiring data directly from the scalp, where brain activity is detectable almost instantaneously in synchrony with the stimulus presentation.”
Similarly, when studying occurrences of hyperventilation among a participant group with a range of anxiety-related disorders, researchers from Yale University turned to a BIOPAC BioNomadix wireless receiver to gather EEG signal data. By attaching individual electrodes to a third-party cap that connected wirelessly to a BIOPAC data acquisition and analysis system, they minimized the discomfort and restriction of movement that may have resulted from a wired solution, thereby influencing participants’ response to stimuli.
Researchers at the Transylvania University of Brașov in Romania faced similar demands that required a flexible noninvasive means to record surface EEG signals from participants as they responded to a variety of colors and patterns with the goal of better understanding the complexity of human color and texture perception. The research team compared participants’ subjective responses to EEG responses via Event-Related Potentials and computational measurements of color and texture. EEG data was gathered with a cap-based BioNomadix wireless system and analyzed using AcqKnowledge software. The study’s authors explained their choice of wireless EEG recording devices as follows: “Since human users are the target, it is important to focus the technology development towards small-scale, wearable, wireless systems that provide flexibility, easy use and comfort to the user side, while at the same time maintaining high signal quality.”
Additional wearable EEG options available through BIOPAC include the MedelOpt Mobility EEG system, combining wearable EEG and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology with advanced signal processing and robust data transmission capabilities. APEX wireless EEG systems further enhance the landscape with their ability to record high-quality EEG data with flexibility for a range of applications from cognitive neuroscience to mental workload studies. Learn more about recording EEG data by watching our webinar: A Beginner’s Guide to EEG.
Are you interested in unlocking the benefits of mobile and wireless EEG for your next research project? Let our staff of experts find the right tools for you.
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