Reliability of fully automated versus visually controlled pre- and post-processing of resting-state EEG

Objective: To compare the reliability of a newly developed Matlab (R) toolbox for the fully automated, pre-and post-processing of resting state EEG (automated analysis, AA) with the reliability of analysis involving visually controlled pre-and post-processing (VA). Methods: 34 healthy volunteers (age: median 38.2 (20-49), 82% female) had three consecutive 256-channel resting-state EEG at one year intervals. Results of frequency analysis of AA and VA were compared with Pearson correlation coefficients, and reliability over time was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Mean correlation coefficient between AA and VA was 0.94 +/- 0.07, mean ICC for AA 0.83 +/- 0.05 and for VA 0.84 +/- 0.07. Conclusion: AA and VA yield very similar results for spectral EEG analysis and are equally reliable. AA is less time-consuming, completely standardized, and independent of raters and their training. Significance: Automated processing of EEG facilitates workflow in quantitative EEG analysis. (C) 2014 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.