Performance of the frequency domain indices with respect to sleep staging

To compare computerized staging using spectral analyses of various electrophysiological signals with manual sleep staging.

Sleep recordings from 21 normal subjects were scored by an experienced rater and by a dichotomous algorithm. The performance of the spectral indices was assessed by the largest kappa value (LKV).

Theta/beta power ratio of the electroencephalogram, high frequency power (8-58 Hz) of the electromyogram (PEMG), mean R-R interval, and total power (0-16 Hz) of the body acceleration (PACCE) had high (>0.5) LKVs when differentiating between waking and sleep. To differentiate sleep with (stage 2 and slow wave sleep) and without (rapid eye movement and stage 1 sleep) spindles, sigma/beta power ratio had high LKVs. PEMG had a medium (>0.25) LKV to separate rapid eye movement from stage 1 sleep whereas delta/beta power ratio had a high LKV to separate stage 2 and slow wave sleep.

The frequency components of electroencephalogram perform well in identifying sleep, sleep with spindles, and slow wave sleep. Electromyogram, heart rate, and body acceleration offer high agreement only when differentiating between wakefulness and sleep.

The human-machine agreement is acceptable with spectral parameters, but heart rate and body acceleration still cannot substitute for electroencephalogram.