Identification of different phases of electrical activity by fractal analysis of EEG

Sant’Ana A.¹, Padula N., Ribeiro K., Fossion J.

1. Outpatient General Clinic, Medical Acupuncture Department, Hospital Estadual Bauru, Bauru-SP, Brasil

Introduction:

The use of non linear resources in the study of natural sciences is a growing tendency. Quantum physics, fractal geometry and non linear chaotic approaches are being progressively presented as options to non linear evaluation. Treatment by acupuncture promotes non linear answers within the complex psychosomatic systems under stimulation, indicating that effects due to acupuncture treatment might be labeled under behaviors subject to chaos theory analysis.

Aim:

To get more information on the EEG data by use of its fractal dimension (FD) applied to particular conditions, e.g., change of phases from an awake to a sleeping state.

Methods:

To determinate the variation coefficient in the FD of selected sections of the EEG data and compare the changing behavior of its lines as faced with particular changes on the patient alertness state.

Results:

There are significant differences in the fractal dimension (FD) variation coefficient within diverse EEG leads, corresponding to particular changes in the patient’s state of alertness.

Conclusions:

Fractal dimension (FD) of EEG data may be used to assess and evaluate different phases and transitions of a given examination, being an analytical tool to its study through approaches related to the chaos theory.