Electroencephalographic Signal Acquisition Framework for Neurodiverse: A Case Study of Dolphin-Assisted Therapy

Our research evaluates EEG signals in neurodivergent children during dolphin-assisted therapy to assess brain activity changes, ensuring a standardized data for analyzing therapeutic effects and promoting replicability in studies. Current technologies include EEG systems for brain activity monitoring, standardized protocols for data consistency, and dolphin-assisted therapy frameworks to assess therapeutic effects in neurodivergent children. Currently, data recording in dolphin-assisted therapy for neurodivergent children lacks standardization, making it difficult to objectively evaluate and compare results across sessions and studies.

The results raise questions about how variables such as durations, type of interactions, or neurodivergent diagnosis affect outcomes and whether the environmental context influences the therapy's effectiveness, Beyond EEG analysis in dolphin-assisted therapy, we aim to explore long-term neurobehavioral outcomes, optimized therapy protocols, and integrate multimodal biomarkers, for example, wearables, to assess broader therapeutic impacts on neurodivergent children. To begin, describe the purpose of electroencephalogram data acquisition, the procedures involved, and the potential benefits and risks to the participant's family. Set up the EEG equipment in a quiet, distraction-free area before any therapy session begins.

Ensure that all equipment is functioning properly and that spare parts are available. Introduce the child to the electroencephalogram acquisition equipment in a friendly and non-threatening manner. Use toys, pictures, or familiar comforting objects to make the child feel comfortable.

Place the child comfortably in a chair or on a mat according to their preference and comfort. Using a pediatric-sized band, gently and carefully position the EEG acquisition and recording sensor at the FP1 point on the child's head. Adjust it is needed to ensure a snug, but comfortable fit and that the electrode is properly connected.

Launch the integrated development environment for EEG signal acquisition and load the system. Open the integrated development environment designed for EEG processing. Navigate to the system configuration window, select the EEG device for sampling, and set the hydrophone parameter to five kilohertz.

Save the configuration to ensure consistency across sessions. Use the patient information window to enter the patient's details, including name, diagnosis, duration of experiment in minutes, and context of data collection relative to the dolphin-assisted therapy process. Click on the take sample button to begin data capture.

Take a reference electroencephalogram measurement for one minute to establish a control point for signal comparison pre and post-therapy. Once the data capture process is complete, verify that a completed message appears and ensure a folder is created containing camera images and text files with electroencephalogram and hydrophone results. Immediately back up the acquired and recorded electroencephalogram signal data to a secure storage device and conduct an initial analysis to verify data quality.

Confirm good electrode contact with the scalp and wipe the forehead if necessary. Ensure the cap containing the EEG signal acquisition and recording device is properly positioned on the child's head. Continuously monitor the acquisition and recording of electroencephalogram signals for one minute without interruption before the child interacts with the dolphins.

Ensure that the equipment remains properly fitted and that the child is relaxed. Under the staff's supervision, assist the child in entering the dolphinarium water. Ensure that the child is comfortable and that the EEG equipment is waterproof and securely fastened.

Continuously monitor the acquisition and recording of electroencephalogram signals for five minutes without interruption as the child interacts with dolphins. Ensure that the equipment remains properly fitted and that the child is relaxed. Immediately back up the newly acquired and recorded electroencephalogram signal data to a secure storage device.

Help the child transition from the therapy area to a comfortable and dry space. Now, acquire and record the EEG data for one minute immediately after the child has exited the water, then carefully remove the sensor from the child's head. After acquisition, navigate to the data analysis window in the integrated development environment and access the analysis section of the user interface.

Select the EEG signals collected during the experiment for processing. Apply the signal processing techniques with the computational pipeline defined in applicable equations to view the data. The session was conducted on both control and intervention child patients.

The data was obtained before, during, and after dolphin-assisted therapy. Brain activity from the intervention patient during the therapy session showed a significant increase in higher-frequency bands, particularly beta and gamma, compared to baseline and post-session periods. The EEG signals of patients in the frequency domain were divided into six fundamental brain rhythms, along with the overall effect, from 0.5 to 60 hertz, showing an increase in activity during therapy.