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Comparison between the Fourier and Wavelet methods of spectral analysis applied to stationary and nonstationary heart period data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2002

JAN H. HOUTVEEN  and
PETER C.M. MOLENAAR
JAN H. HOUTVEEN
Affiliation:
Department of Health Psychology, University of Utrecht, Utrecht
PETER C.M. MOLENAAR
Affiliation:
Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the error made by violating the assumption of stationarity when using Fourier analysis for spectral decomposition of heart period power. A comparison was made between using Fourier and Wavelet analysis (the latter being a relatively new method without the assumption of stationarity). Both methods were compared separately for stationary and nonstationary segments. An ambulatory device was used to measure the heart period data of 40 young and healthy participants during a psychological stress task and during periods of rest. Surprisingly small differences (<1%) were found between the results of both methods, with differences being slightly larger for the nonstationary segments. It is concluded that both methods perform almost identically for computation of heart period power values. Thus, the Wavelet method is only superior for analyzing heart period data when additional analyses in the time-frequency domain are required.

Keywords

WaveletFourierStationarySpectralHeart period
Type
Research Article
Information
Psychophysiology , Volume 38 , Issue 5 , September 2001 , pp. 729 - 735
Copyright
2001 Society for Psychophysiological Research

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