An Analysis of the External Validity of EEG Spectral Power in an Uncontrolled Outdoor Environment during Default and Complex Neurocognitive States
Abstract
Traditionally, quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) studies collect data within
controlled laboratory environments that limit the external validity of scientific conclusions. To probe
these validity limits, we used a mobile EEG system to record electrophysiological signals from
human participants while they were located within a controlled laboratory environment and an
uncontrolled outdoor environment exhibiting several moderate background influences. Participants
performed two tasks during these recordings, one engaging brain activity related to several complex
cognitive functions (number sense, attention, memory, executive function) and the other engaging
two default brain states. We computed EEG spectral power over three frequency bands (theta:
4–7 Hz, alpha: 8–13 Hz, low beta: 14–20 Hz) where EEG oscillatory activity is known to correlate
with the neurocognitive states engaged by these tasks. Null hypothesis significance testing yielded
significant EEG power effects typical of the neurocognitive states engaged by each task, but only a
beta-band power difference between the two background recording environments during the default
brain state. Bayesian analysis showed that the remaining environment null effects were unlikely
to reflect measurement insensitivities. This overall pattern of results supports the external validity
of laboratory EEG power findings for complex and default neurocognitive states engaged within
moderately uncontrolled environments.
Citation
Edwards, D. J., & Trujillo, L. T. (2021). An analysis of the external validity of EEG spectral power in an uncontrolled outdoor environment during default and complex neurocognitive states. Brain Sciences, 11(3), 330.Rights Holder
© 2021 The Authors.Rights License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.