1. Nicole S. Chudy, Daniel S. McConnell, Janan A. Smither
Performance Of Basis Peak and Microsoft Band 2 during N-Back Task: A Validity and Reliability Study
Nicole S. Chudy, Daniel S. McConnell, Janan A. Smither
Abstract
Researchers are frequently interested in recording heart rate data from participants. In psychology, it is known that such data can serve as an objective physiological measure of workload and stress that occurs in certain tasks (i.e., demanding memory and attention tasks).
A promising alternative is the wearable fitness tracking device, that are worn conveniently on the wrist (not intrusive), and come with apps that automatically read the heart rate data from the sensors (minimizing researcher training). These devices are also cheaper than ECG (electrocardiogram) and their wearability makes them ideal for field studies or any study that necessitates freedom of movement.
The objective of this study to validate fitness-tracking devices (Basis Peak and Microsoft Band), as an alternative to ECG and thus make the inclusion of physiological data in psychological research more accessible.
The use of ECG technology is the gold standard for obtaining such data, but such technology is expensive and intrusive.
Further, ECG machines have limited portability making them unfeasible for field studies, and research assistants require a great deal of training in how to use the machines.
Methods
Participants
Forty-two college students (18-25), will participate in this study.
Participants will be awarded SONA credit through participating.
Debriefing will happen after the end of the experiment.
Materials
Participants will be simultaneously equipped to the Basis Peak, Microsoft Band 2, and ECG.
Demographics with short questionnaire will be given (usage)
Playing cards will be given for a task (low demand task).
Two ten minute resting periods will occur during the study
The N-back task is a working memory test that requires the individual to recall a stimulus that was previously presented n stimuli ago ( Hancock & Ward, 1989; Kane, Conway, Miura, & Colflesh, 2007).
A Biopac Model MP150 device was used for recording the heart rate data of each participant.
Procedure
Participants will be hooked up to the ECG machine, with 2 heart rate and 2 galvanic skin response sensors.
Two tasks: 1) low demand 1-back and 2) high demand 3-back
Participants will be given a 10 minute resting baseline. Then, participants will be given a simple task, sorting out playing cards according to their color and suit.
Anticipated Results
We expect to see a positive result between the Basis Peak, Microsoft Band 2, and ECG.
This positive result is expected to occur during the baselines and N-back tasks.
More research is needed for real-time applications in areas of field research.
Expected validity, reliability, and promising use of function for the Microsoft Bad 2 and Basis Peak.
Discussion
If hypothesized results deem true, these devices can be used an alternative to ECG.
Researchers will be able to save money and energy by using these fitness-tracking devices during a cognitive experiment or low demand task.
In another instance, if the Basis Peak shows accuracy and validity, these devices can be an alternative opposed to the MSB2.
This is because the Band is simply to difficult to compute the data, or 1 sample/sec is simply not as proficient as ECG or Basis’s capability.
A third hypothesized end result would be that neither device is a good alternative to ECG.
In this case, new and improved methods and research must be implemented.
Longer studies involving fitness-tracking devices could be conducted, either involving the same products or new ones on the consumer market. 1 1
Introduction
Past studies have verified the reliability of fitness tracking devices for recording heart rate data (Goodie, Larkin, & Schauss, 2000; Terbizan, Dolezal, & Albano, 2002).
Portable heart rate monitors prepared with conventional electrodes have been on the consumer market since 1983 (Laukkanen, & Virtanen, 1998). Past empirical research studies.
Our present study will be taking a 1 sample point/second for the Microsoft Band 2 and the Basis Peak is able to give 32samples/second.
Although the MSB2 is not much of an improvement in terms of data collection rates, the Basis Peak is much closer to the 500 samples/sec that the ECG system is able to calculate and provide.
Generally, HR is measured by placing a belt with electrodes around the chest while a wrist worn unit records the data (Engström, Ottosson, Wohlfart, Grundström, & Wisén, 2012).
Hypotheses:
H1: The Basis Peak and Microsoft Band 2 are valid and reliable alternatives to ECG in terms of a cognitive task and areas of filed research.
H2: Due to a lower heart rate sampling rate, the Microsoft Band 2 is not as efficient as the Basis Peak's capability as compared to ECG.
H3: Neither the Basis Peak nor the Microsoft Band 2 are not comparable to ECG and are not a plausible alternative.
References
Engström, E., Ottosson, E., Wohlfart, B.,Grundström, N., & Wisén, A. (2012). Comparison of heart rate measured by Polar RS00 and ECG, validity and repeatability. Advances in Physiotherapy, 14(3),
Goodie, J. L., Larkin, K. T., & Schauss, S. (2000).Validation of the Polar Heart Rate Monitor for Assessing Heart Rate During Physical and Mental Stress. Journal of Psychophysiology, 14(3),
Hancock, P. A. (1989). A Dynamic Model of Stress and Sustained Attention. Journal of Human Performance in Extreme Environments, 31(5),
Kane, M. J., Conway, A. R., Miura, T. K., & Colflesh, G. J. (2007). Working memory, attention control, and the N-back task: a question of construct validity. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory, and Cognition, 33(3), 615.
Laukkanen, R. M., & Virtanen, P. K. (1998). Heart rate
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