After you have performed the signal detection and manual correction of the signal, we now want to export an excel spreadsheet with the breathing rates in breaths per minute (BPM). BPM is calculated for each individual breath cycle, based on the time from one inspiration to the next.

In the calculations pane, select the respiration channel in all boxes. Additionally, select the respiration channel. In the first calculation pane, change the measure to “Time”. This will give the exact time stamp for each breath cycle start. Next, select “BPM” in the next window and “Frequency” in the third.

CREATE SCREENSHOTS

Export Excel spreadsheet

Then go to Analysis → Find cycle →

Peaks/Events tab

1. Start event:

   1. Inspire start

   2. CH2, Inspiration

2. End event:

   1. Inspire start

   2. CH2, Inspiration

Selection tab

Keep all zeros ???

Check the box “Match events”

Output tab

On the first tab, select “Export excel spreadsheet”

Go to event tab an unselect “Output events” (this prevents more markers to be output)

Working with the spreadsheet

You may have 5 columns, the latter 2 of which may be irrelevant. If so, delete.

1. Import these 3 columns into Matlab

This is to plot the shape of the respiration response.

2. Compute variables across the whole task period

This is mostly relevant for Rest and Meditation, where there are no challenge responses.

Compute the means and standard deviation of the BPM and frequency columns:

1. Click in an empty cell, type “=AVERAGE()” → inside the parentheses, select your column values from top to bottom

2. Do the same for “=STDEV”

3. “=MEDIAN”

4. “=MIN”

5. “=MAX”