Recording of ECG signals on a portable MiniDisc recorder for time and frequency domain heart rate variability analysis.
Abstract: Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive technique useful for investigating autonomic function in both humans and animals. It has been used for research into both behaviour and physiology. Commercial systems for human HRV analysis are expensive and may not have sufficient flexibility for appropriate analysis in animals. Some heart rate monitors have the facility to provide inter-beat interval (IBI), but verification following collection is not possible as only IBIs are recorded, and not the raw electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Computer-based data acquisition and analysis systems such as Po-Ne-Mah and Biopac offer greater flexibility and control but have limited portability. Many laboratories and veterinary surgeons have access to ECG machines but do not have equipment to record ECG signals for further analysis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether suitable HRV data could be obtained from ECG signals recorded onto a MiniDisc (MD) and subsequently digitised and analysed using a commercial data acquisition and analysis package. ECG signals were obtained from six Thoroughbred horses by telemetry. A split BNC connecter was used to allow simultaneous digitisation of analogue output from the ECG receiver unit by a computerised data acquisition system (Po-Ne-Mah) and MiniDisc player (MZ-N710, Sony). Following recording, data were played back from the MiniDisc into the same input channel of the data acquisition system as previously used to record the direct ECG. All data were digitised at a sampling rate of 500 Hz. IBI data were analysed in both time and frequency domains and comparisons between direct recorded and MiniDisc data were made using Bland-Altman analysis. Despite some changes in ECG morphology due to loss of low frequency content (primarily below 5 Hz) following MiniDisc recording, there was minimal difference in IBI or time or frequency domain analysis between the two recording methods. The MiniDisc offers a cost-effective approach to intermediate recording of ECG signals for subsequent HRV analysis and also provides greater flexibility than use of human Holter systems.
Publication Date: 2005-01-11 PubMed ID: 15639158DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.09.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on testing the viability of using a MiniDisc (MD) recorder for capturing Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals to be used in the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in humans and animals with the assumption that this method could be more cost-effective and flexible.
Context and Problem Statement
- This research deals with heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, an essential non-invasive technique for studying autonomic function in humans and animals. HRV analysis aids in understanding behavior and physiological factors. However, currently available systems for such analysis are costly and may lack flexibility when used in animals.
- While certain heart rate monitors can record inter-beat intervals (IBIs), these devices do not store the raw ECG signal, preventing further verification post-data collection. Computer-based systems present more adaptability and control but lack portability, becoming a hurdle in the fieldwork or volatile conditions.
- Although ECG machines are quite common in laboratories and veterinary clinics, there aren’t enough resources for further recording and processing of ECG signals. This limitation formed the basis of the current study.
Research Objective and Experimentation
- Through this study, researchers aim to assess the effectiveness of using a commercially available MiniDisc recorder for capturing the ECG signals to be utilized later for HRV analysis.
- ECG signals were recorded from six Thoroughbred horses using a telemetry system. A Split BNC connecter allowed simultaneous digitisation of the ECG signal’s analogue output using both a computer-based system (Po-Ne-Mah) and a MiniDisc player (MZ-N710, Sony).
- These signals were then digitised at a sampling rate of 500 Hz and analysed both in time and frequency domains. The IBI data thus obtained was compared using Bland-Altman analysis to note any changes and differences in the signals captured directly and those channeled through the MiniDisc.
Results
- Despite slight changes in ECG morphology due to the loss of low-frequency content (primarily below 5 Hz) with MiniDisc recording, the researchers found negligible difference in IBI or any time-frequency domain analysis between the two data recording methods.
- The research concluded that a MiniDisc could serve as a cost-effective medium for recording ECG signals for HRV analysis, providing more flexibility compared to existing human Holter systems.
Cite This Article
APA
Norman SE, Eager RA, Waran NK, Jeffery L, Schroter RC, Marlin DJ.
(2005).
Recording of ECG signals on a portable MiniDisc recorder for time and frequency domain heart rate variability analysis.
Physiol Behav, 83(5), 729-738.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.09.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Algorithms
- Animals
- Data Collection
- Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / instrumentation
- Female
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses
- Male
- Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Tape Recording
- Telemetry
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Michelant L, Selmaoui B. Impact of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields on Cardiac Activity at Rest: A Systematic Review of Healthy Human Studies. Bioelectromagnetics 2025 Jul;46(5):e70014.
- Ryu SH, Lee KE, Forbes E, An SJ, Kim JG, Lee H, Kim BS. Behavioral and cardiac responses to a model startle test to assess retired Thoroughbred racehorses for equestrians. J Vet Sci 2024 Nov;25(6):e84.
- Pontaema T, Pongthaisong P, Kenchaiwong W, Chompoosan C, Lerdweeraphon W. Evaluation of vasovagal tonus index and electrocardiographic parameters in horses using a new modified base apex lead method. Vet World 2024 Jun;17(6):1385-1390.
- Vavrinsky E, Subjak J, Donoval M, Wagner A, Zavodnik T, Svobodova H. Application of Modern Multi-Sensor Holter in Diagnosis and Treatment. Sensors (Basel) 2020 May 7;20(9).
- Bøgh N, Agger P, Omann C, Skov MN, Laustsen C, Wang T, Pedersen M. New Device for Noninvasive Telemetric Monitoring of Vital Signs in Healthy and Newly Operated Piglets. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 2020 Jan 1;59(1):90-93.
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