Using Symmetric Projection Attractor Reconstruction to Visualise and Analyse Prosodic Action-based ECG Morphologies...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular physiology
• Bio-signal processing
• Music cognition

Background:

• Music engagement influences the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system.
• Analyzing musicians' cardiovascular signals requires methods robust to movement noise and non-standard electrode placement.
• Existing electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis methods may require precise fiducial point annotation, limiting application during dynamic activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply the Symmetric Projection Attractor Reconstruction (SPAR) method to analyze ECG morphology in musicians during music performance.
• To visualize and classify ECG signal morphologies using SPAR attractors.
• To correlate attractor patterns with specific musical actions and physiological states.

Main Methods:

• The SPAR method was used to convert musicians' ECG time series into 2D attractor maps.
• ECG signals were collected from a violinist, cellist, and pianist during rehearsals.
• Signals were segmented based on annotated prosodic structures of the music.

Main Results:

• SPAR attractors showed clear differences between music performance and baseline states.
• Hierarchical clustering separated data by musician, performance state, and musical action type.
• String players exhibited a negative correlation between baseline and music states over time, suggesting physiological adaptation.

Conclusions:

• SPAR is a robust method for analyzing ECG morphology during music performance, unaffected by movement artifacts.
• Attractor patterns can be linked to specific prosodic actions in music.
• Understanding these physiological dynamics is crucial for developing music-based cardiovascular interventions.