Protocol for Reducing COVID-19 Transmission Risk in EEG Research

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a noninvasive method for measuring brain activity.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated modifications to standard research protocols to ensure safety.
• Existing EEG protocols required adaptation to mitigate viral transmission risks.

Approach:

• Modified a general EEG recording protocol (Farrens et al., 2019) for pandemic conditions.
• Developed clear guidelines for participant interaction, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and equipment disinfection.
• Focused on adapting protocols for adult participants in simple research studies, with potential for broader application.

Key Points:

• The protocol prioritizes reducing COVID-19 transmission risks for both laboratory personnel and research participants.
• Specific steps are outlined for safe interaction, appropriate PPE usage, and thorough equipment disinfection.
• The adapted protocol is suitable for basic EEG studies involving adults but can be modified for other populations and experiments.

Conclusions:

• This modified EEG protocol enables continued neuroscience research during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The protocol enhances safety by integrating infection control measures into standard EEG procedures.
• The guidelines are adaptable, supporting diverse EEG research applications while maintaining participant and researcher safety.