I would like to contact with any researchers that work with Biopac for measuring facial EMG (orbicularis oculi), and implement subroutines of analyses for startle eye blink parameters (peak amplitude, onset latency...) using Acknowledge v.4.1 or v.4.4.
In the past we used the algorithms implemented in different softwares such as VPM, which includes the parameters suggested by Balaban et al., (1987), for data acquired with other systems (e.g., Coulbourn).
Hi Mamen, I also recently tried to implement analysis routines for startle EMG with Acqknowledge. First, I am placing event marks for each startle probe in the EMG data channel. Then --again using the "Find Cycle"-Tool-- I automatically place events for minimum/maximum values in the rectified/integrated EMG. This procedure can use time windows relative to the startle probe as suggested by Balaban to ignore natural blinks that are not related to the probes. Before exporting the minima/maxima including timing information for further processing (e.g. in Excel) I visually check (and correct if necessary) all startle responses. This procedures works quite well if the data are "smooth" enough, e.g when using a time constant of 10 ms for integrating the raw EMG.
Hi Andi! thanks a lot for your detailed answer! We have been analyzing startle EMG data with Acqknowledge with a very similar analysis routine but using a time constant of 20 ms for integrating raw orbicular EMG, and it worked out quite well. Do you still believe that 10 ms is better for data acquired using this software? We are using a portable Biopac MP36R. Thanks again!
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