ECG Processing Services

We offer various services in processing ECG data for other research groups. Services may include batch-processing of large-scale short- or long-term (>24 hour) ECG or photoplethysmography data, automated segmentation and calculation of different time- or frequency-based indices of heart rate variability or analyses of circadian variation patterns. Please get into contact if you are interested.

Examples of data we processed or supported in processing

Back SN, Schmitz M, Koenig J, Zettl M, Kleindienst N, Herpertz SC, Bertsch K. Reduced vagal activity in Borderline Personality Disorder is unaffected by intranasal oxytocin administration, but predicted by the interaction between childhood trauma and attachment insecurity. Journal of Neural Transmission, 2022;129(4)409-419; DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02482-9. [Publisher]
Richter J, Pietzner A, Koenig J, Thayer JF, Pané-Farré CA, Gerlach AL, Gloster AT, Wittchen HU, Lang T, Alpers GW, Helbig-Lang S, Deckert J, Frydrich T, Fehm L, Ströhle A, Kircher T, Arolt V, Hamm AO. Vagal control of the heart decreases during increasing imminence of interoceptive threat in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Scientific Reports, 2021; 11; 7960, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86867-y. [PubMed]
Krause E, Benke C, Koenig J, Thayer JF, Hamm AO, Pané-Farré CA. Dynamics of defensive response mobilization to approaching external vs. interoceptive threat. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging 2018; 3(6): 525-538; DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.12.002. [PubMed]

Equipment

When it comes to neuroimaging we use devices for functional near-infrared spectroscopy(OCTAMON (8-channel) by ARTINIS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (scanner update currently ongoing). For stationary research designs in the lab, we use psychophysiological data acquisition equipment by BIOPAC. We have two units, one that is MR compatible.

The lab set-up includes a MP160 data acquisition system (ECG100D/ECG Smart Amplifier, EDA100D/EDA Smart Amplifier, RSP100D/RSP Smart Amplifier, NIBP100D/Noninvasive BP Monitor). The MR-ready unit includes a MP160WSW (ECG100C-MRI/ECG Amplifier for MRI, TSD221-MRI/Respiration Transducer - MRI, EDA100C-MRI/EDA Amplifier for MRI, NIBP-A System for MRI/noninvasive BP Monitor).

For ambulatory recording conditions we typically rely on devices by movisens, including the ECGMove4, EDAMove4, LightMove4 or devices by AMS (VU-AMS 5fs). Typically, we combine these with ecological momentary assessment realised via the movisensXS environment. For long-term ECG monitoring we use devices by Schiller like the medilogAR.

Concerning the little things, we have a Ferrox Tilt Table, a Hettich Universal 320R centrifuge (cooled), a KERN scale MPE 250K100PM, KERN dynamometer MAP 80K1S / 80 kg / 100 g, and custom-built Mexameter (MPA2) by C+K Electronics. For the storage of samples we use a blood fridge (-80°C): by FRYKA B 35-85 and one for saliva (-20°C): by Liebherr GGU 1550.