Step-by-Step Experimental Procedures & FAQ

Posted on by Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo

This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to data collection. As well as the Frequently asked questions (scroll down to FAQ).  

In this study we are measuring brain activity before and after what we call a “nature-based intervention” at specific sites.   We have chosen your neighborhood to be one of our sites of study.   For our study, we will be collecting data in 2 phases: first before and then after the intervention. Both times, we will be following exactly the same steps, which are outlined here. 

You will receive a safe, painless, easy-to-wear EEG headset that connects to your phone. We will show you how to use it so you can then take the device with you and record your brain’s electrical activity on your own during specific sessions over 5 days.

 

Overall, your tasks will include:

  • Completing some questionnaires about your lifestyle and wellbeing.
  • Recording for 20 minutes at the park (we’ll be there to help during this session). 
  • Recording three additional times using our app on your own, two at home and one at the same park in whatever order you prefer.  
  • Completing a short daily questionnaire on your phone about your experience.

 

How to fit the device on your head 

First, switch on the device by pressing this button and ensure that the Bluetooth on your phone is also switched on.  Then you’ll need to properly fit the EEG headband onto your head. Please note, if you have long hair, it will need to be tied back and tucked behind your ears, out of your face. This will ensure there is no interference between the sensors and your skin.

Use the provided alcohol swabs to clean your forehead from any residue or makeup — this will help the device get the right connectivity too.  

The EEG device is adjustable. Start by maximizing its length and then adjusting to fit comfortably around your forehead, and behind your ears.  

⚠️ Important: Make sure to place the device using your personalized distance mark as demonstrated during your training and first data collection session. 

⚠️ Avoid overextending the device's arms, as this can cause damage to the equipment.

How to fit the device correctly on your head.

 

How to use the app to record 

Open the app when the device is securely on your head. Look out for the app’s horseshoe symbol, which will reflect the signal strength.  

A colored horseshoe indicates a strong signal.  A non colored horseshoe indicates a weak signal and you’ll need to re-adjust or tighten the headband, get any hair out of the way or simply apply gentle pressure on the device against your forehead to improve the signal quality.  

The different horseshoe symbols indicating desired signal strength.

 

Usually, the less sensitive sensors tend to be those on the far left and far right. If you feel you’ve done all you can to adjust for a better signal, but one or two oval shapes still show poor signal, don’t worry. Simply continue to the next steps. However, it helps to note this or report it to our team. This can be done either during onsite data collection or in your daily journal when completing the questionnaire at home.   

During an EEG, your brain’s electrical activity is digitally recorded and plotted on a graph as waveform, each representing a reading from a sensor on the device. You can view this in the app before starting the recording. For example, if you blink, you’ll notice a steep dip and then rise on the graph, which reflects the electrical activity from that movement.   

When you’re ready, press the red button as shown. This will start the recording.  You will see the red recording button turn to white square (stop recording) 

Once the recording starts you can lock your screen.  

⚠️ Keep your phone close, preferably in your pocket, to maintain a stable Bluetooth connection throughout the session.

⚠️ Do not re-open the app until your 20-minutes is up. Once finished, tap the same button to complete the session.

⚠️ Make sure to select the option to send to a pre-set "Dropbox" when saving the file.

The correct head position inside and outdoors.
Data collection at home 

Begin by sitting still for 1 minute (for instance, on your sofa or looking out the window).

Then continue for 20 minutes, this can be sitting in the same position or performing light home activities like tidying up, light cleaning or walking around your space.

You are free to choose your activity, but please minimize your head movements as much as possible and avoid activities that involve heat and water as this may damage the device.   

After 20 minutes, press the same button to finish recording and send the data to a pre-set Dropbox on your phone.  

 

 

Data collection at the park 

When recording at home sessions, please follow the same steps.  

⚠️ Start the recording only once you arrive at the park.

 You’ll first have to sit down for 1 minute observing the landscape (for example on the bench). Next, take a slow walk around wearing the device for 20 minutes (walking, sitting or any gentle activity is OK). Please ensure to minimize your head movements and avoid looking down, as the excessive movement may introduce noise to the data being recorded and weaken the sensor signals.

After 20 minutes, press the same button to finish recording and send the data to a pre-set Dropbox on your phone.  Each day for 5 days, you’ll receive a short questionnaire on your phone where you can provide feedback on your recording experience. You will also receive additional short questionnaires about your mood at the end of each of the 5 days.   Once your time with the device is complete, please return it to a member of our team at the previously appointed location.   

Thank you for reading and for your interest in participating! 

If you have any further questions or need further assistance, feel free to get in touch by scanning the QR code on screen, sending us a message via WhatsApp at (+48) 69777331, or emailing a member of our team at neuro@neurolansdcape.org.   

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Participants

Healthy individuals (18-65), right-handed, with normal or corrected vision, who live near or visit the Koren Panovec area often.
You will be asked to record your brain activity using a headset (Muse EEG headband) for a total of four sessions: two onsite in the park and two additional sessions at home. You'll also complete short daily questionnaires for one week to provide feedback about your experience. 
Each session will involve 20 minutes of recording, plus some additional time for setup and the completion of questionnaires. 
Yes! The EEG headband is non-invasive, painless, and harmless. It records electrical activity from your brain using safe and well-established technology. 
You will be trained on how to wear and use the headset. The device connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and you will need to download an app (Mind Monitor) to start recording your brain activity.
If the signal isn't optimal (indicated by the horseshoe symbol in the app), try adjusting the headband for a better fit, ensuring hair is out of the way, or applying slight pressure for better contact.  Ensure that your skin is clean and use the provided alcohol swabs to clean your forehead from any residue or makeup. You can also delicately wipe out the headset with alcohol swabs after each use to ensure better skin connectivity.  If issues persist, don't worry – just note it down and report it to the team during data collection or in your daily journal. 
It’s best to minimize head movement to avoid "noisy" data. Try to keep your head straight and avoid tilting head downwards, as this can affect signal quality. During the 20-minute recording, try to stay as still as possible. 
Yes, of course, you can take breaks if you feel uncomfortable or tired. You can always re-record the session when you feel less tired or adjust the headset to increase your comfort. If you need to pause the recording, please note the interruption and inform the team during your daily journal.
You can perform light home activities like sitting, walking around, light cleaning and organizing, preparing ingredients for cooking, looking out the window. You should not perform any activities that include heat or water, watch TV, scroll on your phone, sleep, eat meals, exercise, dance, or perform other strenuous activities with lots of movement.
You can walk around, sit on a bench or the ground, bird watch, or cloud gaze. You should not have a picnic, go mushroom or flower picking, jog, perform any team sports, or do any other strenuous physical activities.
You should complete the park session at the site where you did your first data collection session with our assistance. However, you are free to take alternative walking paths within the park. If for any reason you are unable to visit the specific site for a session, please contact a team member to discuss alternative options or note it down in your daily journal.
You have flexibility in choosing when to complete your recordings. It can be whenever it suits you best, but within the 5 days that you’ll have the device with you.
Do not worry! If there was something out of your control that happened during the recording (e.g. someone interrupted the session), you can extend you recording time adequately. You are also welcome to repeat the session.  
Onsite: Sit for 1 minute looking at the landscape, then walk around while wearing the headset for 20 minutes.  At home: Sit still for 1 minute, then engage in a light activity (e.g., tidying up, walking around) for 20 minutes. Keep head movements to a minimum. 
The app will display a graph showing your brain activity. When you're ready, simply press the red button in the app to start the recording. You can lock the screen on your phone and keep the device near you. After 20 minutes you can return to the app and stop the recording by pressing the same button again. Then you will receive a notification of the file being zipped. This is how you know the recording was completed correctly. Choose to upload the zipped file onto Dropbox
If your phone battery dies or the app crashes during recording, simply restart the session when you are ready. If the problem persists, please reach out to the team for assistance. Note any interruptions in your daily questionnaire.
Once you've completed your final recording, the data will be saved to a Dropbox or sent via WhatsApp. Please make sure to return the Muse headset to a team member at the designated location after the week of data collection. 
You will receive a very short questionnaire on your phone every day for seven days to report your experience and provide feedback about your data collection sessions. 
If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact a team member by scanning the QR code, sending a message via WhatsApp to (+48)697776331, or emailing the team at neuro@neurolandscape.org. 
No, the process is simple and easy to follow. You will be trained on how to use the equipment, and the team will provide ongoing support. 
If you're unable to complete a session, please let us know as soon as possible so we can discuss alternative options. Your participation is important, and we want to ensure the best possible data collection. 
Yes, you will receive 20 euros after the first time and additionally 50 euros after the second time you participate in the study.  
Yes, all recordings are confidential. Data is anonymized before analysis to protect your privacy. Only the research team will have access to your data, and it will be stored securely.
Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any time. You will receive compensation for the parts of the study you have completed up until your withdrawal.
We can send you all your data upon request. 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *