UPDATE NOTES:
ORIGINAL: 05-21-2008
UPDATED 01-06-09 and 08-09-09
Reviewed : 03-20-12
Added 2 applications- one ECG, and 2 ECG- that save ECG as raw data, 1024 times per sec, for a project.
Fixed Install Bug that blocked opening on a new computer.
NOTE: Some researchers reported being unable to export directly to Excel.This is easily cleared by following instructions in the attached manual . The key is to cut down the number of channels to export to excel - to 18 or less.
Another solution is to Export to asc-file format, then import asc file into Excel.
Sample screen for Kubios' website.
QRSTool and CMetX Software
for Calculating Metrics of Cardiac Variability
Created and maintained by jallen@u.arizona.edu
(c) 1996-2008 John J.B. Allen.
Software for calculating several of the more popular metrics of cardiac variability that can be derived from a single electrocardiographic channel is available from the authors.
QRSTool was written by David Towers. QRSTool provides a graphical user interface (see screenshot) that will allow for the extraction of the IBI series from EKG data, whereas CMetX (written by John Allen) is a command-line based utility that will calculate several metrics of cardiac chronotropy given a simple IBI series as input. The tools are integrated such that users who choose to extract the IBI series with QRSTool can have metrics calculated directly by CMetX. The programs also can be used independently: CMetX can derive metrics given any IBI series as input, and QRSTool can extract the IBI series to then analyze using other programs or algorithms.
QRSTool can read an EKG signal stored as ASCII text, or import directly from Neuroscan's CNT format. CMetX requires as input an ASCII file that contains an interbeat-interval series, with one IBI per row. CMetX runs in a DOS environment under any version of Windows.
More specifics on the CMetX can be found in the following references (pdf available}
Allen, J.J.B., Chambers, A.S., & Towers, D.N. (2007). The many metrics of cardiac chronotropy: A pragmatic primer and a brief comparison of metrics. Biological Psychology, 74, 243-262.
Allen J.J.B. (2002). Calculating metrics of cardiac chronotropy: A pragmatic overview. Psychophysiology, 39, S18.
Research Mode Fixed Task Signal Recording Suite
1.Download Research Mode
This special research application is for the C2+ 6 and C2+-12. The GP8 series is not included here.
Password is researchmode
Features HRV IBI analysis - make your own task screens, time tasks, add subject scales.
C2 Plus users: Do you collect physiological data? Do you collect subjective ratings? Do you have a research project that uses fixed time periods? Do you collect data before, during and after an event [ like an ABA or ABA-ACA - etc design]? Do you have one or more standardized events in a row [ ABCD etc]? Can your events be placed on a computer window? Or be synchronized to run for a fixed time [ like a game or card sort]? If your project fits these general guidelines, Research Mode is designed as a way to do basic research on your own. Research mode is currently set for peripheral physiology detection, with one ECG and one EMG, plus HR, Respiration, skin temperature and skin conductance. It also collects live HRV signals. An optional mouse-driven Subjective Rating Scale [ from 0 to 10 scale] is built in if you need it. That's a lot! And of course, we can add other signals, for a small fee.
The key to making your own stimuli is the ability to make HTML [web page] pages that insert into J&Js screens. Your 'protocol' is standardized as a list of screens, each shown for a fixed time, and in a fixed sequence. You will have to make your own task sequences, or hire us to make it for you.
Now, what about data management for your project?
1. Use EXCEL or ACSII to export data to a statistical package.
2. Sign up for a use either of two IBI analysis programs:
A. Kubios HRV Analysis Software
B. CMetX raw ECG to IBI Software.
You must register as a researcher on the Kubios website.
PRO:
Easy to use once your IBI data is artifacted.
CON:
There is no artifact removal built in. It must be done after the session:
To remove artifact, you must find the IBI data file, bring it up as a text file, and manually remove 'outliers'.
You must register as a researcher on the CMetX website.
PRO:
1. Can be used retrospectively if your program saved the raw ECG.
2. Easy-to-use data cleansing- artifact removal.
CON:
1. Only one J&J Research Mode application is set up to save raw ECG right now.
2. Raw ECG data files are very big, taking lots of disk space.
2. Read the TASK CONSTRUCTION and DATA MANAGEMENT MANUAL.
Contact:
John J.B. Allen, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Email: jallen@u.arizona.edu
Download this pdf manual for instructions on how to save and retrieve both Excel/asc2 data and IBI signals converted for Kubios analysis:
CMetX is another free software analysis platform. I have made one data conversion application, and it went well.
We support this version as well.
The conversion is different than that for Kubious. It requires high speed ECG and a special program.
3. GO TO THE KUBIOS SITE AND REQUEST SOFTWARE
Research Mode for C2 Plus
