In search for the most optimal EEG method: A practical evaluation of a water-based electrode EEG system

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

The study assessed a mobile electroencephalography system with water-based electrodes for its applicability in cognitive and behavioural neuroscience. It was compared to a standard gel-based wired system. Electroencephalography was recorded on two occasions (first with gel-based, then water-based system) as participants completed the flanker task. Technical and practical considerations for the application of the water-based system are reported based on participant and experimenter experiences. Empirical comparisons focused on electroencephalography data noise levels, frequency power across four bands (theta, alpha, low beta and high beta) and event-related components (P300 and ERN). The water-based system registered more noise compared to the gel-based system which resulted in increased loss of data during artefact rejection. Signal-to-noise ratio was significantly lower for the water-based system in the parietal channels which affected the observed parietal beta power. It also led to a shift in topography of the maximal P300 activity from parietal to frontal regions. The water-based system may be prone to slow drift noise which may affect the reliability and consistency of low-frequency band analyses. Practical considerations for the use of water-based electrode electroencephalography systems are provided.

Original languageEnglish
Article number23982128211053698
JournalBrain and Neuroscience Advances
Volume5
Number of pages15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

© The Author(s) 2021.

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Science - Electroencephalography, Cognitive neuroscience, Event-related potential, Time-frequency analysis, Methodology, Data quality

ID: 284901304