If you are new to electrophysiology, we recommend the following order of study:
1. Start with the basics (Section 0):
- Learn what EEG, ECG, and EMG are.
- Understand the meaning of frequency ranges (alpha, beta, theta, gamma).
- Learn about the autonomic nervous system and HRV.
2. Study signal processing (Section 1):
- Understand why each operation is needed (Trim, CAR, Denoise, etc.), especially Denoise for blinks.
- Start with simple operations (Trim, Filter).
- Gradually add more complex ones (CAR, Denoise, EMD), where Denoise is responsible for blink artifacts.
3. Practice with the interfaces:
- Time domain: start here—signal visualization will help you understand what is happening.
- Summary: use it for an overview—you will see all parameters at once.
- Frequency domain: study spectrograms—you will understand frequency patterns.
- Cardio domain: study HRV—an important indicator of health.
- Emotional state: study emotions—an interesting application of EEG.
4. Interpret results:
- Always consider the physiological meaning of parameters.
- Compare with normal values.
- Take context into account (rest vs. load).
- Do not rush to conclusions—one parameter does not provide the full picture.
5. Study the literature:
- Read scientific papers on psychophysiology.
- Learn the normal values of parameters.
- Understand the limitations of the methods.
Important to remember:
- Electrophysiology is a complex science that requires time to learn.
- Not all parameters can always be interpreted unambiguously.
- Context is very important—the same values may mean different things in different situations.
- Always critically evaluate results and compare them with the literature.