The relationship between EEG delta activity and autonomic activity as measured by SCSB during daytime sleep

The aim of the present work was to study the applicability of the static-charge-sensitive bed (SCSB) method to sleep studies, by comparing autonomic nervous activity measured with the SCSB and EEG delta activity (0.5-2 Hz). Simultaneous polygraphic and SCSB measurements of the first sleep cycle (110 min) were recorded from seven subjects. The amount of delta activity filtered from the EEG was compared in 3 min epochs to an autonomic activity index (AAI) based on cardiac, respiratory and body movement activity. Individual Spearman rank order correlation coefficients between delta amplitude and the AAI varied from 0.17 to -0.60. Therefore, it is concluded that the relationship between the delta activity and the AAI is not systematic enough for defining 'depth' of sleep at any point in time by using the AAI. However, on average, the SCSB differentiates high and low delta values quite well. With some further improvement of the scoring system the SCSB is a useful tool in comparative sleep studies.