Configuring EEGer for SubHz Training
What is SubHz Training?
SubHz training allows users to measure signals at a resolution below 1 Hz, allowing expanded flexibility for active training and monitoring during a session. While the functionality to train below 1 Hz has been included with EEGer for many years, recent versions of EEGer have added new features and support for a wider range of EEG amplifiers.
This article details adjustments to your EEGer system to allow for SubHz training. Once your system is configured, SubHz can be used with any client and any game, with full control of the training plan like normal. Not familiar with SubHz training? We encourage you to look at this introductory course on EEG Learn.
SubHz Requirements
This section details the technical requirements to begin SubHz training with EEGer. Please note that Home Use with EEGer requires both the Home Use and Clinical systems be configured to allow for SubHz training.
Experience with EEGer: At this stage, SubHz is considered an ‘experimental’ feature due to the technical nature and setup required. We recommend that only clinicians experienced with neurofeedback already and wanting additional flexibility for low-frequency measurement explore SubHz.
The Latest EEGer Version: It is always recommended to be using the latest EEGer version as it often includes the latest security updates and support for new features. This is especially important for SubHz training as new features and support may be added as clinical feedback is received.
An Updated EEGer Keyfile: SubHz training is considered ‘experimental’, meaning that you’ll need an updated keyfile to enable this functionality. There is no cost for this enable, and the file can be installed like any other keyfile. You can request SubHz be added to your license by contacting us or including a comment about SubHz when requesting a keyfile online.
A Compatible EEG Amplifier: Due to the training resolution for SubHz, a compatible amplifier capable of measuring signals below 1 Hz must be used. A short list of these amps are included below, but is not exhaustive.
Neurobit Optima 2 & Neurobit Optima+ 4
BrainMaster Amplifiers such as the Atlantis 2x2, Atlantis 4x4, and Discovery
BeeMedic NeuroAmp I and NeuroAmp II
Please note that BrainMaster amplifiers require an additional purchase from BrainMaster to enable for use with other systems like EEGer. Please contact BrainMaster directly for additional information.
Electrodes: Clinicians who have explored training have found success using Ag/AgCl (Silver Silver Chloride) electrodes. This recommendation may change in the future as additional testing is performed to assess the accuracy of using other types of electrodes. More on this requirement is included below.
Required Software Adjustments
There are a few small adjustments that must be made to EEGer’s filter settings to allow for SubHz Training:
Open EEGer and Navigate to Options>EEGer Configuration Options from the top toolbar of EEGer’s main screen.
If needed, ensure the EEG amplifier is configured on the Devices and Device Options tabs.
On the Setup tab adjust 1 Filter computation module from Internal to FIDdll.
Adjust 2 Filter computation depth (2-5 for FIDdll) from 0 to 5.
Ensure that 23 Enable <1 Hz noth filter is unchecked.
Press Close preferences window to apply your changes and return to EEGer’s main screen.
Please note that there are additional settings that can be adjusted depending on the type of training and feedback provided. The changes here are the base requirements needed to enable filtering below 1 Hz on the Plan Session screen and to ensure clean signal while running a session. Please consult EEGer’s Manuals for additional information on adjusting settings related to SubHz Training or reach out to EEGer Support for additional guidance or a setup appointment.
Other Considerations
Plan Session Screen: Currently, SubHz training allows for the Reward trace to be adjusted below 1 Hz. We do not have recommendations for protocols or specific adjustments to the session plan, but some areas that have come up during support appointments include:
Adjusting the threshold levels, including enabling AutoThresholding to occur.
Changing the feedback mode, including setting the Inhibit traces or unused channels as ‘monitors’.
Adjusting the Run time to begin at a low initial value, then ‘dialing in’ the session length depending on the individual or type of training.
Selecting a Game: SubHz Training can be done with any EEGer game, including third-party games. Initial clinical feedback about SubHz training indicates the default way that games provide reward and visual feedback may not be as appropriate for SubHz when compared to normal amplitude training. Clinicians who do SubHz training will often configure their own tailored games within EEGer to use state-based audio feedback, or to adjust the timing of rewards to better fit the training.
The specifics of how the game is tailored will depend on many factors including the type of training and preferences of the clinician and client. We’re happy to share what we have helped clinicians tailor in the past upon request, but encourage Clinicians to explore and share what they find effective.
Electrodes for SubHz Training: For SubHz Training, Ag/AgCl (Silver Silver Chloride) electrodes are recognized for allowing stable, low-noise signal transmission compared to fully metal electrodes. They help mitigate impacts to the signal due to DC-offset and noise.
We have not done extensive internal testing on how different types of electrodes compare for SubHz training, or evaluated the different manufacturers available to provide any strong recommendations. Some clinicians have reported using silver electrodes successfully for SubHz training and both cup-style and flat-style electrodes. The electrodes provided as part of our equipment bundles or through our website are silver. We find these electrodes to be much more durable and less prone to failure over time compared to other materials, with comparable conductivity to other types of electrodes we have offered in the past.
Home Use & SubHz: It is possible to do SubHz training with a Home Use system! Both the Clinical and Home Use systems need to be enabled for this type of training and meet the requirements listed above. Once complete on both systems, the supervising clinician should be able to create and send home use files between systems.
Please note that it is recommended for Clinical and Home Use systems to both use the same software version to avoid possible conflicts.
What ‘Experimental’ Means: Experimental in this context means that things like the menus, navigation, and technical setup required are not at a stage where we’re happy for it to be openly accessible and advertised to anyone using this approach.
From speaking with Clinicians, however, we’re confident that this is an area worth exploring and developing further. By allowing Clinicians to opt-in to trying SubHz Training with EEGer, we hope to receive feedback on what works and what doesn’t so the software can be improved and, eventually, these features be available to all users.
Sharing Your Findings
We’re interested in better understanding how this type of training works, what may lead to effective results, and how the overall experience can be improved. We are excited to hear from members of the EEGer community with any thoughts they have, especially after running sessions with this type of training. Our goal is to be able to create session presets, custom games, and to make improvements to the setup & navigation to make this type of training accessible to more clinicians.
It is important to recognize that training below 1 Hz is possible with other systems. We are not familiar enough with these systems or their filtering/processing to draw specific comparisons or comment, but over the years we’ve heard frustrations with how this type of training is approached or limitations present. If you are familiar with training below 1 Hz with other systems, please consider trying SubHz and letting us know what results you see!
The best way to provide your thoughts and to connect with other clinicians exploring SubHz is by joining the free EEGer Online Community. You can use the online forum to ask questions, connect with other clinicians, and share protocols/adjustments that you use.
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